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Taken from http://science.howstuffworks.com. 'The distinction between hardwood and softwood actually has to do with plant reproduction. All trees reproduce by producing seeds, but the seed structure varies. Hardwood trees are angiosperms, plants that produce seeds with some sort of covering. This might be a fruit, such as an apple, or a hard shell, such as an acorn.
Softwoods, on the other hand, are gymnosperms. These plants let seeds fall to the ground as is, with no covering. Pine trees, which grow seeds in hard cones, fall into this category. In conifers like pines, these seeds are released into the wind once they mature. This spreads the plant's seed over a wider area.'
17 May 2012
Oak_scuplture.jpg
24 September 2017
jon.ellis's Answer is excellent from a scientific point of view.As christina142 added an art tag, I will expand from an artistic perspective (although this q is from 5 years ago - potentially people are still interested?)Woods classified scientifically as Hardwoods and Softwoods are not necessarily Harder and Softer respectively. For example, Balsa is a hardwood but very soft to work with.The top image is one of a German sculpture made of softwood Linden and the one below is an English one made of hardwood Oak. Working oak and other hard hardwoods usually tends to need chisels with a steeper bevel than those softer woods, aspen, pine.
24 September 2017
German_Linden_sculpture.jpg
24 September 2017
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