The difference between hardwood and softwood is that hardwoods are from deciduous trees, and softwoods are from coniferous trees.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Hardwoods are evergreen and softwoods are deciduous
• D. There is no difference

Answer: (A)

Hardwood vs softwood classification comes from the type of tree the wood comes from. Hardwoods come from flowering trees (angiosperms), which are typically deciduous and shed their leaves each year. Softwoods come from cone-bearing trees (conifers), which are typically evergreen and keep their needles year-round. This association between deciduous versus evergreen and the corresponding wood types is a common rule of thumb used in identifying and selecting wood, so the statement aligns with the usual pattern. There are a few exceptions in nature, but for everyday understanding and most common woods, the linkage holds, making this statement true.