What Is Hardwood And Softwood And Types

North american softwood species have needle shaped foliage instead of the leaves found on hardwood trees.

What is hardwood and softwood and types.

The primary distinction between hardwood and softwood is based on the reproductive biology of the tree species. Following is a list of common softwood varieties and their characteristics. Classifying wood as either a hardwood or softwood comes down to its physical structure and makeup and so it is overly simple to think of hardwoods as being hard and durable compared to soft and workable softwoods. A few well known hardwood species are oak maple and cherry but many more trees share hardwood tree characteristics.

Wood products are known for their natural beauty but when selecting a type of wood for your next cabinetry flooring furniture or millwork project it is important to also consider the level of durability by understanding the difference between wood types. The most common type of cedar is the western red variety. Wikimedia commons coming to the reproductive description in botanical terms softwood trees are gymnosperms whereas hardwood trees are angiosperms the seeds of hardwood trees will have a shell or a fruit. Softwood lumber is highly versatile and beautiful making it ideal for structural applications as well as interior and exterior designs and projects.

Trees with seeds that are enclosed such as within a shell or fruit are categorized as hardwood. Other types of hardwood trees in american forests include. A guide to the grain. Douglas fir is a slightly under the average priced type of hardwood flooring.

So what is a softwood tree. Types of wood comparing american hardwoods softwoods and tropical hardwoods. Biologists contract hardwood trees with softwood trees. Western red cedar as its name implies has a reddish color to it.

Unfortunately douglas fir hardwood flooring is one of the softest types of hardwood flooring. More specifically the type of seeds produced by a tree determines whether it is hardwood or softwood. Botanical difference between hardwood and softwood gymnosperms and angiosperms image. This is a list of woods most commonly used in the timber and lumber trade.

Hardwood vs softwood is the comparison between them and comes down to its physical structure and makeup and as being hard and durable compared to softwood it is overly simplistic to think of hardwoods and softwood is also workable.