[Woodcarver] Softwood or Hardwood

[Bob Campanaro]

I've heard two different versions of the softwood vs hardwood 
controversy. One says that all deciduous trees are "hardwood" and all 
needle bearing trees are "softwood".

The other says that if you can leave a fingernail imprint in the wood 
then its "softwood", which would be a more traditional description of 
'soft vs hard'.

So what do you think?  Basswood is a deciduous tree yet you can leave a 
fingernail imprint in it.  Is it a "softwood" or a "hardwood"?
-- 


Bob Campanaro
re2camp at aol.com
Stowe, VT