xn 



CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTER OF WOOD 



THAT it may be understood why certain peculiar fea- 

 tures and characteristics of the wood of each of the several 

 species of trees described in succeeding chapters are men- 

 tioned in detail, it is deemed advisable to define, in a gen- 

 eral manner, the meaning of the terms used, and also to 

 indicate the qualities or features which such terms cover 

 or represent; for upon these qualities and features depend 

 the tree's value. It must be plain to all that a knowledge 

 of the particular features of the wood of each species of 

 trees, and its adaptation to the uses to which the wood is 

 or can be put, is essential in determining what kinds to 

 grow ; and such knowledge must be had before an intelli- 

 gent course can be decided upon. 



Softwood Hardwood. Generally speaking, the tim- 

 ber trees of our country are classed as " Softwood " and 

 " Hardwood," and however much or little this division may 

 vary from fact the distinction is universally made in the 

 lumber trade. Yet, when we consider the trees placed in 

 each class by the lumberman, we can see that the terms 

 are not in accordance with fact. Some are classed as hard- 

 woods when the wood is actually softer than that of some 

 which are classed as softwoods. To speak of the softwoods 

 of the lumberman as " conifers " would be correct in fact, 

 for that they all are. It would not be correct to speak of 

 the lumberman's softwoods as " evergreens," for Cypress, 

 Larches, and Tamaracks are all classed among softwoods 

 and are all conifers, and they are deciduous, they shed 

 their leaves in autumn, while the Holly and Live Oak 

 are evergreens, but are strictly hardwoods, and are so 

 classed. 



