[Woodcarver] Softwood or Hardwood

[Victor Hamburger]

Bob Campanaro wrote:

> 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,

Technically speaking,  all decideous trees drop their leaves in the fall and are 
hardwoods, regardless of how easily you can imprint your fingernail in the wood. 
  Trees with needles, that do not drop their leaves, are softwoods.

As far as woods that are soft or hard, each type of tree has both soft and hard 
varieties within the group.  Bass is a soft wood that you can dent easily, as 
are most pines.  But within the pine family, there is Southern Yellow Pine that 
you can barely drive a steel nail into due to its hardness!

So, bass is correctly categorized as a hardwood specie, but has a low density 
and therefore is easily bruised by a fingernail. (EG, a "soft" wood)

Dr Bruce Hoadley's book, "Understanding wood" from Taunton Press is an excellent 
read but a bit pricey at $40.  Try to locate it in your local library or see if 
they can borrow a copy from another library in your area.  Dr. Hoadley goes into 
a good more detail than you and I will ever need to know about wood!

Best,  Vic H

Speaking of hardwoods, you must be close to peak color about now in Stowe, VT. 
Fall is definately here!