What are North American Hardwoods?
Hardwoods are deciduous trees that have broad leaves, produce a fruit or nut and generally go dormat in the winter. North American forests grow hundreds of varieties of hardwood trees that thrive in this country’s temperate climates. These varieties, or species, include oak, ash, cherry, maple and poplar. Softwoods are conifers, evergreen and cone-bearing trees. Widely available North American softwoods include cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, redwood and spruce. In a construction application, softwoods primarily are used as structural lumber such as 2x4s and 2x6s, with limited decorative applications.
