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{{Short description|Wood from gymnosperm trees such as conifers}}
{{Short description|Wood from gymnosperm trees such as conifers}}
{{for|the plant propagation technique known as softwood cutting|Cutting (plant)}}
{{for|the plant propagation technique known as softwood cutting|Cutting (plant)}}
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[[file:Pinus sylvestris wood ray section 1 beentree.jpg|thumb|[[Scots pine]], a typical and well-known softwood]]
{{more citations needed|date=October 2019}}
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'''Softwood''' is [[wood]] from [[gymnosperm]] trees such as [[conifer]]s. The term is opposed to [[hardwood]], which is the wood from [[angiosperm]] trees. The main differences between hardwoods and softwoods is that the softwoods completely lack [[Vessel element|vessels]] (pores).<ref>{{cite web | title=Softwood Anatomy | website=The Wood Database | date=2012-11-15 | url=https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/softwood-anatomy/ | access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> The main softwood species (pines, spruces, larches, false tsugas) also have resin canals (or ducts) in their structure.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Bond|first1=Brian|title=Wood Identification for Hardwood and Softwood Species Native to Tennessee|last2=Hamner|first2=Peter}}</ref>
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[[file:Pinus sylvestris wood ray section 1 beentree.jpg|thumb|[[Scots Pine]], a typical and well-known softwood]]

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'''Softwood''' is [[wood]] from [[gymnosperm]] trees such as [[conifer]]s. The term is opposed to [[hardwood]], which is the wood from [[angiosperm]] trees. The main differences between hardwoods and softwoods is that the structure of hardwoods lack resin canals, whereas softwoods lack pores (though not all softwoods have resin canals).<ref>{{Citation|last1=Bond|first1=Brian|title=Wood Identification for Hardwood and Softwood Species Native to Tennessee|last2=Hamner|first2=Peter}}</ref>


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
[[Image:Hard Soft Wood.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Scanning electron microscope|SEM]] images showing the presence of pores in hardwoods ([[oak]], top) and absence in softwoods ([[pine]], bottom)]]
[[Image:Hard Soft Wood.jpg|thumb|[[Scanning electron microscope|SEM]] images showing the presence of pores in hardwoods ([[oak]], top) and absence in softwoods ([[pine]], bottom)]]
Softwood is [[wood]] from [[gymnosperm]] trees such as [[pine]]s and [[spruce]]s. Softwoods are not necessarily softer than hardwoods.<ref name="Buckley">{{cite web|last1=Buckley|first1=Michael|title=A basic guide to softwoods and hardwoods|url=http://www.worldhardwoods.com/files/articles_basicguide.pdf|publisher=worldhardwoods.com|date=2005|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> In both groups there is an enormous variation in actual wood hardness, the range of density in hardwoods completely including that of softwoods. Some hardwoods (e.g. [[balsa]]) are softer than most softwoods, while the hardest hardwoods are much harder than any softwood. The woods of [[longleaf pine]], [[Douglas fir]], and [[Taxus|yew]] are much harder in the mechanical sense than several hardwoods.
Softwood is [[wood]] from [[gymnosperm]] trees such as [[pine]]s and [[spruce]]s. Softwoods are not necessarily softer than hardwoods.<ref name="Buckley">{{cite web|last1=Buckley|first1=Michael|title=A basic guide to softwoods and hardwoods|url=http://www.worldhardwoods.com/files/articles_basicguide.pdf|publisher=worldhardwoods.com|date=2005|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819093840/http://www.worldhardwoods.com/files/articles_basicguide.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The hardest hardwoods are much harder than any softwood,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Ten Hardest Woods {{!}} The Wood Database |url=https://www.wood-database.com/top-ten-hardest-woods/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> but in both groups there is enormous variation with the range of wood hardness of the two groups overlapping. For example, [[balsa]] wood, which is a hardwood, is softer than most softwoods, whereas the [[longleaf pine]], [[Douglas fir]], and [[Taxus|yew]] softwoods are much harder than several hardwoods.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}


Softwoods are generally most used by the construction industry and are also used to produce [[paper pulp]], and card products.<ref name="Ryan">{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=V.|title=REVISION CARDS - SOFTWOODS |url=http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/softwoods1.html |date=2012|publisher=technologystudent.com|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> In many of these applications, there is a constant need for density and thickness monitoring and gamma-ray sensors have shown good performance in this case.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Beigzadeh |first1=A.M. |title=Design, modelling and construction of a continuous nuclear gauge for measuring the fluid levels |journal=Measurement |date=2019 |volume=138 |pages=157–161 |doi=10.1016/j.measurement.2019.02.017 |s2cid=115945689 }}</ref>
Softwoods are generally most used by the construction industry and are also used to produce [[paper pulp]], and card products.<ref name="Ryan">{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=V.|title=REVISION CARDS - SOFTWOODS |url=http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/softwoods1.html |date=2012|publisher=technologystudent.com|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> In many of these applications, there is a constant need for density and thickness monitoring and gamma-ray sensors have shown good performance in this case.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Beigzadeh |first1=A.M. |title=Design, modelling and construction of a continuous nuclear gauge for measuring the fluid levels |journal=Measurement |date=2019 |volume=138 |pages=157–161 |doi=10.1016/j.measurement.2019.02.017 |s2cid=115945689 }}</ref>
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==Examples of softwood trees and uses==
==Examples of softwood trees and uses==
* [[Douglas fir]] - [[Woodworking joints|joinery]], doors and heavy construction HI BOYS
* [[Douglas fir]] - [[Woodworking joints|joinery]], doors and heavy construction

* [[Eastern white pine]] - furniture
* [[Eastern white pine]] - furniture
* [[European spruce]] - used throughout construction, panelling and cladding
* [[European spruce]] - used throughout construction, panelling and cladding
* [[Larch]] - used for cladding and boats
* [[Larch]] - cladding and boats
* [[Lodgepole pine]] - roofing, flooring and in making chipboard and [[particle board]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Things we make from softwood trees|url=https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-52jc96|date=11 July 2017|publisher=forestry.gov.uk|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022028/https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-52jc96|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Lodgepole pine]] - roofing, flooring and in making chipboard and [[particle board]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Things we make from softwood trees|url=https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-52jc96|date=11 July 2017|publisher=forestry.gov.uk|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022028/https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-52jc96|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Pinus radiata|Monterey pine]]
* [[Pinus radiata|Monterey pine]]
* [[Parana pine]] - stair treads and joinery
* [[Parana pine]] - stair treads and joinery (critically endangered)
* [[Scots pine]] - construction industry, mostly for interior work
* [[Scots pine]] - construction industry, mostly for interior work
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* [[Sitka spruce]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harding|first1=T.|title=British Softwoods:Properties and Uses|date=1988|url=https://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/FCBU077.pdf/$FILE/FCBU077.pdf|publisher=forestry.gov.uk|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=2 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022010/https://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/FCBU077.pdf/$FILE/FCBU077.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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* [[Sitka spruce]] - <ref>{{cite web|last1=Harding|first1=T.|title=British Softwoods:Properties and Uses |date=1988 |url=https://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/FCBU077.pdf/$FILE/FCBU077.pdf |publisher=forestry.gov.uk|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref>
* [[Southern yellow pine]] - joinery, flooring and [[Deck (building)|decking]]
* [[Southern yellow pine]] - joinery, flooring and [[Deck (building)|decking]]
* [[Western hemlock]] - doors, joinery and furniture
* [[Western hemlock]] - doors, joinery and furniture
* [[Western red cedar]] (or red cedar) - furniture, decking, [[Cladding (construction)|cladding]], and [[roof shingles]]
* [[Western red cedar]] (or red cedar) - furniture, decking, [[Cladding (construction)|cladding]], and [[roof shingles]]
* [[Yew]] - interior and exterior furniture e.g. chairs, gate posts and wood turning
* [[Yew]] - interior and exterior furniture (e.g., chairs, gate posts and wood turning)


==Applications==
==Applications==
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== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==External links==

* {{commonscat-inline}}
{{Woodworking}}
{{Woodworking}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Wood products]]
[[Category:Wood products]]
[[Category:Woodworking]]
[[Category:Woodworking]]
[[Category:Wood|softwood]]
[[Category:Wood by type|softwood]]
[[Category:Wood-related terminology]]

Revision as of 17:35, 27 November 2024

For the plant propagation technique known as softwood cutting, see Cutting (plant).
Scots pine, a typical and well-known softwood

Softwood is wood from gymnosperm trees such as conifers. The term is opposed to hardwood, which is the wood from angiosperm trees. The main differences between hardwoods and softwoods is that the softwoods completely lack vessels (pores).[1] The main softwood species (pines, spruces, larches, false tsugas) also have resin canals (or ducts) in their structure.[2]

Characteristics

SEM images showing the presence of pores in hardwoods (oak, top) and absence in softwoods (pine, bottom)

Softwood is wood from gymnosperm trees such as pines and spruces. Softwoods are not necessarily softer than hardwoods.[3] The hardest hardwoods are much harder than any softwood,[4] but in both groups there is enormous variation with the range of wood hardness of the two groups overlapping. For example, balsa wood, which is a hardwood, is softer than most softwoods, whereas the longleaf pine, Douglas fir, and yew softwoods are much harder than several hardwoods.[citation needed]

Softwoods are generally most used by the construction industry and are also used to produce paper pulp, and card products.[5] In many of these applications, there is a constant need for density and thickness monitoring and gamma-ray sensors have shown good performance in this case.[6]

Certain species of softwood are more resistant to insect attack from woodworm, as certain insects prefer damp hardwood.

Examples of softwood trees and uses

Applications

Softwood is the source of about 80% of the world's production of timber,[9] with traditional centres of production being the Baltic region (including Scandinavia and Russia), North America and China. Softwood is typically used in construction as structural carcassing timber, as well as finishing timber.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Softwood Anatomy". The Wood Database. 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  2. ^ Bond, Brian; Hamner, Peter, Wood Identification for Hardwood and Softwood Species Native to Tennessee
  3. ^ Buckley, Michael (2005). "A basic guide to softwoods and hardwoods" (PDF). worldhardwoods.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Top Ten Hardest Woods | The Wood Database". Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  5. ^ Ryan, V. (2012). "REVISION CARDS - SOFTWOODS". technologystudent.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  6. ^ Beigzadeh, A.M. (2019). "Design, modelling and construction of a continuous nuclear gauge for measuring the fluid levels". Measurement. 138: 157–161. doi:10.1016/j.measurement.2019.02.017. S2CID 115945689.
  7. ^ "Things we make from softwood trees". forestry.gov.uk. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  8. ^ Harding, T. (1988). "British Softwoods:Properties and Uses" (PDF). forestry.gov.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  9. ^ United Nations Forest Products Annual Market Review 2007-2008, p. 46, at Google Books
  • Media related to Softwood at Wikimedia Commons
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