What Is Meant By Hardwood And Softwood

The hardwood softwood terminology does make some sense.

What is meant by hardwood and softwood.

Hardwood cuttings require a stronger formula than softwood cuttings. The primary distinction between hardwood and softwood is based on the reproductive biology of the tree species. But the truth is that hardwood and softwood refers to something completely different. Softwood is the wood that comes from gymnosperm trees which have needles and produce cones.

More specifically the type of seeds produced by a tree determines whether it is hardwood or softwood. Softwood definition any wood that is relatively soft or easily cut. The other class of wood is hardwood which comes from angiosperms such as walnut hickory or maple. But as the classification of balsa wood demonstrates there is no minimum weight requirement to become a hardwood.

Gymnosperm is a greek term meaning naked seed. 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. However hardwood trees don t include monocots like palm trees and bamboo. Hardwood trees are deciduous meaning they shed their leaves once a year.

Softwood is the wood from trees such as pines that grow quickly and can be cut easily. Softwood refers to lumber that has been cut from a coniferous or an evergreen tree. Oak and maple are examples of hardwood while pine and fir are examples of softwood. 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.

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. Angiosperm is a greek term meaning vessel seed these types of trees include walnut maple and oak trees. 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. Most liquid rooting compounds are sold in concentrate form and must be diluted with water.

Meaning pronunciation translations and examples. However the hardness of the wood has little to do with it despite what the words imply. Upon reading these terms though you may assume that hardwood species are physically hard whereas softwood species are soft. Trees with seeds that are enclosed such as within a shell or fruit are categorized as hardwood.