Lesson 5.02: Comparing Hardwood and Softwood Species

• Introduction
• Lesson
• Practice
• Task

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to: Compare hardwood and softwood species The above objectives correspond with the following Alabama Course of Study Objectives: ACOS 5.1Comparing hardwood and softwood trees..

Overview

Trees differ in numerous ways. Some trees have leaves, others have needles. Some trees produce nuts, some produce cones, some produce fruit. One of the key divisions of trees is determining if it is a softwood or hardwood tree. All trees fall into one of these categories. Hardwood and softwood trees both serve different needs in the industry. Let’s take a look at what makes hardwoods and softwoods different, and list some examples of each type.

In this lesson, we will answer three primary questions.

1. How do hardwoods and softwoods differ according to wood characteristics?
2. What are two distinct anatomical features that distinguish hardwoods from coniferous species?
3. What are some examples of hardwood and softwood trees?