[Woodcarver] Softwood or Hardwood

[Sylda]

Susan, you are just a fountain of info!!!  Thank you.  I want to Thank You
big time for the personal info you sent to me about how to put lettering on
a circle -- I'll follow your instructions.  Thanks again.
The subject in your ranting was right on target.  This has happened to me so
many times ---- that what my teacher was trying to into my thick head
suddenly hits me some time (lots of time) later.  Once it hits I can't
figure out why I understand right away.  Thanks again!!
Sylda


On 10/4/04 6:54 AM, "Classic Carving Patterns" <irish at carvingpatterns.com>
wrote:

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> 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
> 
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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
> 
> 
> To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail,
> click this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
> 
> 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"?