Wood Made Really Simple

There is a very simple explanation for why the wood from trees can be divided into hardwoods and softwoods. This may have been explained previously, but if it has I cannot find a record of it anywhere.

Wood that is used in construction is generally marketed as either lumber, or softwood, or else as hardwood suitable for flooring, stairs and, ornamental woodwork. The most common species of wood used as lumber, for large-scale framing, fencing and, decks are pine, spruce, fir, various types of cedar and, redwood. These softwoods grow much more quickly than hardwoods and are much easier to work with since they can be readily cut and nailed. Often-used species of hardwood include maple, cherry and, hickory and would also include such common trees as oak and elm. These woods are tough and last a long time.

My explanation for the existence of these two categories of wood is the shape of the leaves on the trees. Suppose there was an evergreen tree with needles next to a deciduous tree with broad leaves, such as a maple or an elm. Now picture the two trees in a gale-force wind. The broad leaves of the deciduous tree catches much of the tremendous force of the wind. In contrast, the wind mostly slips through the needles of the evergreen tree.

Thus, it would make sense that the wood of the deciduous tree would have to be far tougher and stronger than the wood of the evergreen tree to resist the force of high winds. This is why building supply stores have both hardwoods and softwoods.