What is the difference between softwood and hardwood trees?
The differences have nothing to do with how hard or soft the wood is. A wood is defined as a “hardwood” if it comes from a deciduous tree. (Usually defined as a broadleaf tree that drops it’s leaves seasonally.) A “softwood” is defined as coming from an evergreen tree. A perfect example of a soft hardwood is Balsa wood. The balsa tree is deciduous, so by definition balsa is a hardwood, but the wood is so soft you can dent it with your fingernail.
