Is A Hemlock Tree Hardwood Or Softwood

The primary distinction between hardwood and softwood is based on the reproductive biology of the tree species.

Is a hemlock tree hardwood or softwood.

Hardwood isn t necessarily harder or stronger than softwood balsa wood for example is an extremely soft and pliable hardwood. In fact this softwood actually grows harder with age. Its mechanical properties including density are superior to other softwood species in eastern canada. Classifying wood as either a hardwood or softwood comes down to its physical structure and makeup and so it is overly simple to think of hardwoods as being hard and durable compared to soft and workable softwoods.

Whether timber is a softwood or hardwood refers to how the trees reproduce it doesn t describe the strength of the wood. The japanese word means yew leaved referring to its short flat and contrary to legend non poisonous needles. Eastern hemlock is one of the two primary commercial species of hemlock harvested in north america with the other being western hemlock tsuga heterophylla. On the other hand softwood conifers do not pass.

Expect prices to be moderate for a domestic softwood. A few simple tests help you differentiate hardwood from softwood trees. This means that the leaves fall off in autumn and the tree remains leafless through springtime. A native tree it grows slowly and can live up to 600 years.

Comparing hardwood and softwood stair parts. Hardwood information specifies that hardwood trees are deciduous. From angiosperm trees that are not monocots and usually broad leaved and has vessel elements that transport water throughout the wood hardwood is formed and these elements appear as pores under a microscope. 2012 10 22 09 15 27 2012 10 22 09 15 27.

Trees with seeds that are enclosed such as within a shell or fruit are categorized as hardwood. This happens to be generally true but there are exceptions such as in the cases of wood from yew trees a softwood that is relatively hard and wood from balsa trees a. Eastern hemlock belongs to the hem tam n group eastern hemlock tamarack group according to the national lumber grades authority nlga. Hemlock is a softwood and just like any other softwood it s a less desirable firewood when compared to a popular hardwood like oak or maple but that doesn t mean the firewood is useless especially if it s free and easy to access.

More specifically the type of seeds produced by a tree determines whether it is hardwood or softwood. Hemlock is used primarily as a construction timber and is in good supply.