Why Hardwoods Are The Softest Woods

The video explains the historical and scientific basis for classifying trees as hardwoods and softwoods. Initially, these terms were based on the difficulty of cutting the wood, but they later aligned with genetic classifications: angiosperms (hardwoods) and gymnosperms (softwoods). Despite the names, hardwoods are not always harder than softwoods. The video discusses the evolution, cellular structure, and diversity of both types, highlighting the Janka Hardness Scale as a measure of wood hardness.

What was the original reason for classifying trees as hardwoods or softwoods?

• Based on the height of the trees

• Based on the ease of cutting the wood

• Based on the leaf shape

• Based on the color of the wood

Which taxonomic group do most hardwoods belong to?

• Gymnosperms

• Angiosperms

• Ferns

• Conifers

What percentage of softwood's wood consists of long, thin cells?

• 50%

• 70%

• 90%

• 100%

How does the growth speed of a tree affect its wood density?

• Faster growth leads to denser wood

• Growth speed does not affect wood density

• Slower growth leads to softer wood

• Faster growth leads to softer wood

Which wood is 65 times harder than balsa according to the Janka Hardness Scale?

• Northern white cedar

• Palo Santo

• Oak

• Eastern red cedar