The Difference Between Softwood and Hardwood Trees

Many people wrongly assume that hardwood is hard and durable, and softwood is the exact opposite. But the truth is, these two terms do not speak to the density of a tree, but rather, its origins. Continue reading to learn what this means, and how softwoods differ from hardwood trees.

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Tree Reproduction

It is the method of reproduction a tree uses that defines whether it is a soft or hardwood. It does not have anything to do with the woods strength or density. You see, trees reproduce by producing seeds, which vary depending on the species of tree. Ultimately, these seeds are what distinguish softwoods from hardwoods.

Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

Hardwood trees are called angiosperms, and produce a seed that is covered in shell or skin. Hardwood trees are also known as deciduous trees, and include species such as Maple Trees, Apple Trees, Oak Trees, and Ash Trees. The most common forms of seeds produced by hardwood trees are nuts and fruit, but they also take on many other forms as well.

Softwood trees are called gymnosperms, and produce a seed that is not covered in a skin or shell. They commonly fall to the ground, such as pine cones and acorns. Softwood trees are also known as evergreen or conifer trees. Common species include Pine Trees, Hemlocks, Firs, and Spruces.

Evergreen and Deciduous Trees

Simply knowing the difference between deciduous trees and evergreen trees is enough to understand the difference between hardwoods and softwoods. For instance, softwood trees maintain their foliage all year long, while deciduous trees shed theirs for the winter. Also, softwoods have higher sap production than hardwoods. And as for wood density and strength, hardwoods are actual more dense and heavier, but not in all cases. If you have more questions about your hardwood and softwood trees, contact a local tree care company for professional advice you can trust.

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The Difference Between Deciduous and Evergreen Trees

When it comes to learning about trees, everyone should be on board! Trees are among the most important natural resources on the planet. Without trees, we would not have a sufficient amount of oxygen, and way too much carbon dioxide, in our atmosphere. You see, trees give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, so the relationship between all living creatures on Earth and trees is a significant and ancient one!

One of the first things to learn about trees is that there are two main types that exist: deciduous and evergreen. All trees can be categorized as one or the other. Now you have certainly seen numerous examples of these trees in real life, unless of course you’ve been hiding under a rock! But seeing trees is much different than understanding them. Once you learn the differences between deciduous and evergreen trees, you will know exactly what you are looking at next time!

Deciduous Trees

When you see leaves on a tree, you are looking at a deciduous tree. Deciduous trees grow new leaves in the spring and shed their leaves in the fall; then they remain alive, but dormant, all winter long until the sun shines again and new life can emerge with warmer weather.

In the winter, these trees look bare and brazen, so sometimes they are misinterpreted as dead. But this is far from the truth! Deciduous trees simple “sleep” away the winter time until better weather returns. They shut off all their photosynthesis and chlorophyll productions and take a long seasonal nap!

Angiosperms and flowering plants are deciduous vegetation.

Evergreen Trees

Evergreen trees are conifers, and include species like pines, hemlocks, firs, and spruces. They have needles instead of leaves, which remain in place all year long. Even in the winter, evergreen trees do not lose their pine needles, but sometimes, they can turn color depending on environmental conditions. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Some conifers do lose their needles each fall. These include Larches, Tamaracks, and Bald Cypress.

Gymnosperms and conifers are evergreen vegetation.

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Common Types of Coniferous Trees

Conifers are widely-diverse and attractive evergreen trees (pines trees) that have immense ecological importance on Earth. They are woody plants with secondary growth, producing an eclectic variety of yields like seeds, flowers, fruit, and more. The softwood obtained from them is of huge economic value, giving us paper, timber, and even plastic. About 45% of the world’s lumber comes from evergreens. Needless to say, they are highly-beneficial pine trees with even more interesting facts to learn about them.

An Ancient Tree

The word “confiner” comes from the Latin, “conus”, meaning “cone”, and “ferre”, meaning “to bear.” These words refer to the pine cones that conifer trees produce in the late summer and early fall. Coniferous fossils have been found that date back as far as 300 million years ago during the Paleozoic period. They are known as one of the most ancient species of tree on the planet. In fact, the tallest, densest, and oldest living trees on Earth are all conifers!

Structure and Foliage

Coniferous trees retain their foliage and stay green all year long. Most have a similar structure: a single straight trunk with side-reaching branches. They have their own built in first-aid kit and pest deterrent as well, known as resin. This resin, or sap, gives evergreen trees their distinct piney scent; but more importantly, the sap protects open wounds against fungal infection, and fends off nuisance pests. Their foliage is made up of needles, rather than leaves you see on deciduous trees (with the exception of Lawless Cypress and other Cupressaceous species). These needles shed once per year, but not before turning a bright orange or yellow first.

Types of Conifer Trees

There are several types of coniferous trees, including Cedars, Redwoods, Hemlocks, Spruces, Firs, and more. They are in the kingdom of Plantae, the Division of Pinophyta (also known as Coniferophyta or Coniferae), the Class Pinopsida, the Order of Cordaitales (or Pinales), and finally, the Family of Pine. Here are some of the most common and well-known conifer trees we treasure so dearly:

  • African Juniper
  • Alaska Cedar
  • Aleppo Pine
  • Alligator Juniper
  • Arborvitae
  • Arborvitae
  • Atlantic White Cedar
  • Atlas Cedar
  • Austrian Pine
  • Bald Cypress
  • Balsam Fir
  • Bhutan Pine
  • Black Pine
  • Black Spruce
  • Blue Spruce
  • Bristlecone Pine
  • Bunge’s Pine
  • Bunya Pine
  • California Foothill Pine
  • California Red Fir
  • Canaan Fir
  • Canada Yew
  • Carolina Hemlock
  • Caucasian Fir
  • Cedar
  • Cedar-Of-Lebanon
  • Chilgoza Pine
  • Chinese Fir
  • Chinese Juniper
  • Cipres De Guaitecas
  • Common Juniper
  • Corkbark Fir
  • Cui Bai
  • Cypress
  • Dawn Redwood
  • Deodar Cedar
  • Douglas Fir
  • Eastern Hemlock
  • Eastern Red Cedar
  • Eastern White Pine
  • Engelmann Spruce
  • English Yew
  • European Larch
  • Fir
  • Florida Nutmeg
  • Florida Yew
  • Foxtail Pine
  • Fraser Fir
  • Giant Sequoia
  • Grand Fir
  • Grecian Fir
  • Hartweg Pine
  • Hemlock
  • Hinoki False Cypress
  • Honduras Pine
  • Incense-Cedar
  • Indian Juniper
  • Italian Cypress
  • Jack Pine
  • Japanese Black Pine
  • Japanese Cedar
  • Japanese Fir
  • Japanese Larch
  • Japanese Red Pine
  • Japanese Yew
  • Jeffrey Pine
  • Juniper Juniperus
  • Khasia Pine
  • Knob Cone Pine
  • Korean Fir
  • Larch
  • Leyland Cypress
  • Limber Pine
  • Loblolly Pine
  • Lodge Pole Pine
  • Longleaf Pine
  • Manchurian Fir
  • Maritime Pine
  • Mason Pine
  • Mexican Cypress/Cedar of Goa
  • Microbiota
  • Monkey Puzzle Tree
  • Monterey Cypress
  • Monterey Pine
  • Montezuma Bald Cypress
  • Moreton Bay Pine
  • Mountain Hemlock
  • Mugo Pine
  • New Caledonia Pine
  • Nikko Fir
  • Norfolk Island Pine
  • Norway Spruce
  • Ocote Pine
  • One Seed Juniper
  • Orchids
  • Oriental Arborvitae
  • Oriental Spruce
  • Pacific Yew
  • Parana Pine
  • Patagonian Cypress
  • Patula Pine
  • Pitch Pine
  • Plum Pine
  • Pond Cypress
  • Ponderosa Pine
  • Port Orford Cedar
  • Red Pine
  • Red Spruce
  • Redwood
  • Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir
  • Rocky Mountain Juniper
  • Sacred Fir
  • Sand Pine
  • Sargent Juniper
  • Scots Pine
  • Serbian Spruce
  • Shortleaf Pine
  • Siberian Larch
  • Silver Fir
  • Single Leaf Pinyon
  • Sitka Spruce
  • Slash Pine
  • Southwestern White Pine
  • Spruce
  • Spruce Pine
  • Subalpine Fir
  • Subalpine Fir
  • Sugar Pine
  • Swiss Stone Pine
  • Table Mountain Pine
  • Tall Lodge Pole Pine
  • Tamarack
  • Torrey Pine
  • Turkish Pine
  • Two Needle Pinyon
  • Utah Juniper
  • Virginia Pine
  • Western Hemlock
  • Western Juniper
  • Western Juniper
  • Western Larch
  • Western Red Cedar
  • Western White Pine
  • White Cypress-Pine
  • White Fir
  • White Fir
  • White Spruce
  • White Bark Pine
  • Yew
  • Yew Plum Pine

Call a professional Fishers Tree Service Company for help managing your conifer trees!

Fishers Tree Service

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Call 317-537-9770 for affordable tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including tree trimming, some grinding, tree removal, lot clearing, and much more. If you have a tree problem, we have the affordable solutions! And on top of competitive prices, we offer tree service coupons! Call 317-537-9770 to request an estimate for Fishers tree service, today.