[Woodcarver] Softwood or Hardwood

[Classic Carving Patterns]

Hey Bob,

Whether an individual piece of wood could be considered as soft vs. hard
can be determined with the thumbnail test.  Even though a species of
wood falls under one category or the other in general can change when
you are talking about one piece from one particular tree.  The harder or
more sever the growing conditions that tree was under determines how
thick or thin each growth ring for the tree is.  Usually the tighter the
growth rings the harder the wood will be to carve.  So a Sugar Pine
planted on the mountain side under many years of drought conditions may
pass the Hardwood thumbnail test yet be classified as a Softwood tree.
Yet a Red Oak that has found itself is a perfect growing condition may
have wider than normal and therefore softer than normal ring growth.

So your test is most accurate for individual boards instead of tree
species.

OH ... FYI ... Pine trees do drop their needles every year!  In fact the
harvest time for pine needles used in basketry is during early to mid
August.  By that time the new needle grow at the terminal end of the
branch is well established so the tree sheds the needles, which are now
behind the new growth.  Take a look at your local White Pines, if they
grow in your area.  You will see an inner halo of brown this time of
year.  That's last years needles ready to fall.  So where deciduous tree
drop ALL their leaves, evergreens only drop last years leaves/needles
retaining this years new growth.

Susan

Carving Patterns Online
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Classic Carving Patterns By L.S.Irish
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-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net] On Behalf Of Bob Campanaro
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 8:03 AM
To: Wood Carvesr Porch
Subject: [Woodcarver] Softwood or Hardwood


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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

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