Hardwoods are produced by angiosperm trees that reproduce by flowers, and have broad leaves, such as ash, beech, birch, mahogany, maple, oak, teak, and walnut.

 

Many species are deciduous. Those of temperate regions lose their leaves every autumn as temperatures fall and are dormant in the winter, but those of tropical regions may shed their leaves in response to seasonal or sporadic periods of drought.

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Hardwoods have a more complex structure than softwoods and are often much slower growing as a result. The dominant feature separating hardwoods from softwoods is the presence of pores, or vessels. The vessels may show considerable variation in size, shape of perforation plates, and structure of cell wall, such as spiral thickenings.

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As the name suggests, the wood from these trees is generally harder than that of softwoods, but there are significant exceptions.

 

In both groups there is an enormous variation in actual wood hardness, with the range in density in hardwoods completely including that of softwoods.

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Hardwoods are employed in a large range of applications, including tools, construction, boat building, furniture making, musical instruments, and flooring.  

 

Solid hardwood joinery tends to be expensive compared to softwood. Hardwoods may be used in a variety of objects, but are most frequently seen in furniture or musical instruments because of their density which adds to durability, appearance, and performance.

 

Different species of hardwood lend themselves to different end uses or construction processes. This is due to the variety of characteristics apparent in different timbers, including density, grain, pore size, growth and fibre pattern, flexibility and ability to be steam bent.