Hardwood and Softwood ID

[syd3006]

On another post a writer refered to Elm as a softwood, my grandfather told me many years ago the way to tell the difference between a hardwood and softwood was that all hardwoods have leaves and all softwoods have needles. I have used this as a general rule to tell the difference ever since. Is there a better rule of thumb that I could use? Can anyone think of an example where this isn't reliable?

 

[BotetourtSteve]

Like most things in life, there are exceptions to this "rule," but by in large that is about right.

 

[jtp10181]

Isn't there soft maple? I have seen MANY "soft" woods mentioned on here that are deciduous (leaves).

 

[JustWood]

On another post a writer refered to Elm as a softwood, my grandfather told me many years ago the way to tell the difference between a hardwood and softwood was that all hardwoods have leaves and all softwoods have needles. I have used this as a general rule to tell the difference ever since. Is there a better rule of thumb that I could use? Can anyone think of an example where this isn't reliable?

100% correct.

 

[jebatty]

As you probably realize, "hardwood" and "softwood" have little to do with whether wood is hard or soft. Leaves = hardwoods and needles = softwoods (might be an exception or two). Classic example of a hardwood is balsa, which probably is the softest hardwood out there. Or take tamarack, probably one of the hardest of the softwoods.

 

[Highbeam]

My cottonwood had leaves before being chopped into firewood. It is very low btus low density. Just as willow or aspen, leaves. Then there is tamarack which is a very hard needled tree.

If you ordered and paid the premium for 6 cords of hardwood and then the truck dumped 6 cords of cottonwood in your driveway I think that you'd be pretty upset.