Hardwoods

• Oak is a hardwood.
  
  Hickory, maple, oak and elm are some common hardwoods.
  
  

Softwoods

• Spruce is a softwood.
  
  Common softwoods include spruce, pine, fir and cedar.
  
  

Woodworking and Construction

• For wood flooring and in quality furniture making, choose hardwoods for their durability. Use softwoods for framing and outdoor decking.
  
  

Hardwood Fires

• Hardwoods burn clean and long and leave a good bed of coals for a new fire. They are your best choice for fires in cold weather.
  
  

Softwood Fires

• Softwoods burn fast and hot and do a good job of taking the chill off the room in spring and fall. You can also use softwoods as kindling for hardwood fires.