What Is Meant By Hardwood And Softwood

Meaning pronunciation translations and examples.

What is meant by hardwood and softwood.

The primary distinction between hardwood and softwood is based on the reproductive biology of the tree species. 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. Upon reading these terms though you may assume that hardwood species are physically hard whereas softwood species are soft. But the truth is that hardwood and softwood refers to something completely different.

However hardwood trees don t include monocots like palm trees and bamboo. Gymnosperm is a greek term meaning naked seed. The hardwood softwood terminology does make some sense. Softwoods come from evergreen and conifer trees such as pine cedar or spruce.

Hardwood cuttings require a stronger formula than softwood cuttings. Oak and maple are examples of hardwood while pine and fir are examples of softwood. Most liquid rooting compounds are sold in concentrate form and must be diluted with water. But as the classification of balsa wood demonstrates there is no minimum weight requirement to become a hardwood.

However the hardness of the wood has little to do with it despite what the words imply. Softwood is the wood that comes from gymnosperm trees which have needles and produce cones. I like the liquid because all you have to do is adjust the amount of water you add depending on whether you are propagating softwood or hardwood cuttings. Softwoods are frequently used as building materials.

The other class of wood is hardwood which comes from angiosperms such as walnut hickory or maple. Softwood refers to lumber that has been cut from a coniferous or an evergreen tree. Softwood definition any wood that is relatively soft or easily cut. Trees with seeds that are enclosed such as within a shell or fruit are categorized as hardwood.

People who work with wood or heat with wood have probably heard the terms hardwood and softwood but most people really don t know what is meant by these terms. Angiosperm is a greek term meaning vessel seed these types of trees include walnut maple and oak trees. 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. Softwood is the wood from trees such as pines that grow quickly and can be cut easily.