Knowing whether a piece of wood is a hardwood or softwood is important for determining its qualities and best uses. There are some key ways to identify hardwood vs. softwood that don’t require extensive knowledge of tree species.
What is the difference between hardwood and softwood?
The terms hardwood and softwood refer to the structure and seeds of trees, not necessarily the density or hardness of the wood itself. Hardwood trees are angiosperms, meaning they have broad leaves that are shed annually. Their seeds are enclosed in the ovaries of flowers. Softwood trees are gymnosperms with needle-like or scale-like leaves that stay on the tree year-round. Their seeds are exposed on cones.
Botanically, hardwoods belong to the botanical group Angiosperm while softwoods belong to the group Gymnosperm. So the classification is based on a tree’s reproductive cycle, not on the density or hardness of its timber.
However, hardwoods generally are slower growing and produce denser wood than softwoods. The density causes hardwoods to be harder in texture, heavier, and more resistant to abrasion and indentation. This is why hardwood products like flooring and furniture tend to be more durable and resilient.
Signs that identify hardwood
Here are some telltale signs that a piece of wood is from a hardwood tree:
- Broad leaves – Hardwoods have flat, wide leaves rather than needle-like or scaled foliage.
- Visible pores – Hardwood cells contain large pores called vessels. These are visible to the naked eye and feel like bumps on the wood’s surface.
- Distinct grain patterns – The vessels in hardwoods create pronounced and varied grain lines.
- Color variations – Hardwoods exhibit a wider range of colors from pale yellow to reddish browns.
- Higher density – Hardwoods are generally heavier and denser than softwoods.
- Difficult to scratch – Due to higher density, hardwoods are more resistant to scratches and dents.
- Sinks in water – With some exceptions, hardwoods will sink rather than float when placed in water.
Common hardwood species
Here are some of the most common hardwood species:
| Hardwood | Description |
|---|---|
| Oak | Very strong and durable domestic hardwood used for flooring, furniture, beams |
| Maple | Pale hardwood good for cabinets, bowling alleys, butcher blocks |
| Cherry | Reddish brown wood used for cabinets and fine furniture |
| Walnut | Rich dark brown wood often used for gunstocks and furniture |
| Mahogany | Luxurious reddish wood popular for high-end cabinets and furniture |
| Teak | Golden hardwood known for its durability, used for shipbuilding and outdoor furniture |
| Birch | Pale strong wood used for furniture, cabinets, flooring |
| Poplar | Creamy wood sometimes used as a more affordable alternative to maple |
| Hickory | Hard, stiff wood used for tool handles, sports equipment, flooring |
Oak
Oak is one of the most common hardwood species used in America. There are over 60 different oak species, but red oak and white oak are the most prevalent. Oak is very dense, hard, and durable. It has very pronounced grain patterns thanks to large pores. Oak is commonly used for flooring, furniture, cabinets, beams, and whiskey barrels.
Maple
Maple comes from several species of hardwood trees. It is characterized by its pale color and fine, straight grain. Maple is a uniform diffuse-porous hardwood that is free of any knots or markings. It is strong, dense, and shock resistant. Maple is easy to work with and finishes smoothly, so it’s ideal for furniture, bowling alleys, butcher blocks, musical instruments, and sports equipment like baseball bats.
Cherry
Cherry wood comes from the black cherry tree. It has a rich reddish-brown color and smooth, flowing grain patterns. The wood darkens and takes on a lustrous patina over time when exposed to light. Cherry is relatively hard and strong, with fine pores that give it a smooth finish when sanded. Common uses are cabinets, fine furniture, veneers, and musical instruments.
Walnut
Walnut wood is highly prized for its luxurious dark brown color and intricate grain patterns. It comes from multiple species of walnut tree and is moderately hard and heavy. Walnut is easy to work with and takes staining and polishing well. It’s most often used in high-end furniture, gunstocks, and woodturning.
Mahogany
There are several tropical species that yield the fine hardwood known as mahogany. It has a reddish-brown color that darkens over time and a straight, fine grain. Mahogany is naturally durable and resistant to rot and insects. It’s often used for cabinetry, furniture, boat building, musical instruments, and other applications where a luxurious reddish wood is desired.
Teak
Teak comes from tropical hardwood trees native to southeast Asia. It’s a golden or medium brown wood with an oily surface and coarse, uneven grain. Teak is one of the most weather-resistant woods used in boat building, outdoor furniture, and other applications where durability is needed. It has natural oils that repel moisture, insects, and fungi.
Birch
Birch trees yield pale hardwood that can vary from white to light brown. It often has dark mineral streaks running through it. Birch is a relatively strong and water-resistant hardwood thanks to tight, dense grain patterns. It’s used for furniture, cabinets, flooring, and toothpicks.
Poplar
The tulip poplar is a large hardwood species found throughout North America. Its wood is creamy yellow with some green shades. The grain is relatively straight and uniform. Poplar is relatively soft and stable. It’s sometimes used as a more affordable alternative to maple for projects like furniture, trim, and millwork.
Hickory
Hickory refers to a group of dense, stiff hardwoods from pecan and true hickory trees. The wood is very hard and shock resistant but can be brittle. Hickory is difficult to work with but extremely durable. Common uses include tool handles, sports equipment like baseball bats, and hardwood flooring.
How to examine unknown wood
When trying to identify an unknown piece of wood, here are some steps you can take:
- Look at the endgrain – Examine it through a magnifying glass for large, open pores that indicate hardwood.
- Evaluate the density – Weigh it and see if it feels heavy for its size.
- Try to dent or scratch it – See how resistant it is to localized pressure and abrasion.
- Consider the color – Is it light like maple or reddish-brown like cherry or mahogany?
- Observe the grain – Look for distinctive patterns that may match a known species.
- Think about common uses – If it was used structurally it’s more likely a durable hardwood.
- Consider the source – Knowing where it came from can help narrow options.
- Get expert advice – Take it to a woodworker or sawmill for identification.
Conclusion
While hardwoods and softwoods can overlap in density, hardness, and workability, there are distinctive structural differences that allow positive identification of hardwood. Looking for visible pores, broad grain patterns, leaf structures, and density are good initial indicators that unlabeled wood is from a deciduous hardwood tree rather than an evergreen softwood. With close examination and knowledge of common species, you can reliably determine if an unknown wood sample is a hardwood or softwood.