What The Difference Between Hardwoods And Softwoods

Hardwoods tend to be slower growing and are therefore usually more dense.

What the difference between hardwoods and softwoods. This is usually visible at both microscopic level and at the surface hardwoods tend to have broad leaves while softwoods tend to have needles and cones. Most species are considerably less expensive than hardwoods making them the clear favorite for any structural application where the wood will not be seen. Softwood trees are known as a gymnosperm. There are differences between the physical structures of hardwoods and softwoods.

It is this uniformity in addition to the density of the wood which makes softwoods seem relatively soft when being sawn or machined. Softwood trees generally grow faster than hardwoods and are usually less dense. Softwood trees do not have broad leaves but rather have needle like leaves. Simply categorising hardwood as hard and softwood as soft is not the best approach.

Softwoods are typically lighter in weight and less dense than hardwoods. In general hardwood comes from a deciduous tree which loses its leaves annually and softwood comes from a conifer which usually remains evergreen. They are generally evergreen meaning that they do not shed their leaves in the fall and do not become dormant during winter. Wikimedia commons coming to the reproductive description in botanical terms softwood trees are gymnosperms whereas hardwood trees are angiosperms.

Nature s finest hardwood and softwood available for sale. The seeds of hardwood trees will have a shell or a fruit. But as the classification of balsa wood demonstrates there is no minimum weight requirement to become a hardwood. Evergreens do tend to be less dense than deciduous trees and therefore easier to cut while most hardwoods tend to be more dense and therefore sturdier.

Even though it is true that hardwood is relatively more durable harder there are some exceptions. Softwoods are fast growing as compared to most hardwoods one reason why they are less expensive. The differences between hardwood and softwood lies in their origin physical structure quality and uses.