Hardwoods

Lumber obtained from angiosperms, usually deciduous trees (broadleaf trees). There are more angiosperms on earth than any other plant group, over 200,000 species. About 900 of those species are commonly available for lumber or veneer throughout the world.

Softwoods

Lumber obtained from gymnosperms, about 600 of which are coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, and fir. The gymnosperms are among the largest and oldest living plants.

Note: The above groups have NO relationship to the density or “hardness" within or between various species. Some softwoods are harder than some hardwoods, and hardness varies greatly between species within each group.

Native species of trees and the wood produced by these trees are divided into two botanical classes: hardwoods, which have broadleaves; and softwoods, which have needle-like or scale-like leaves. This botanical classification is sometimes confusing, because there is no direct correlation between calling a species a hardwood or softwood and the hardness or softness of the wood itself. Generally, hardwoods are denser than softwoods ,but some hardwoods are softer than many softwoods. If hardness is a desired characteristic, refer to the Comparative Table of Wood Species.