Well you learn something everyday and I sure learned something interesting
awhile ago. Seems that the terms hardwood and softwood have nothing to do
with the "hardness" of the wood!

From the link below...

"The terms softwood and hardwood are used to reference the taxonomical
division that separates a species and have little to do with the actual
hardness of the wood."

"Hardwood trees have broad leaves and are deciduous - they lose their leaves
at the end of the growing season. Hardwoods are angiosperms - using flowers
to pollinate for seed reproduction. Oaks, maples, birches and fruit trees
are examples of hardwood trees."

"Softwood trees are conifers (evergreens), have needles or scale-like
foliage and are not deciduous. Softwoods are gymnosperms, meaning they do
not have flowers and use cones for seed reproduction. Examples of softwoods
include pines, spruces, firs and hemlocks."

Wood Identification for Hardwood and Softwood Species...
http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publi...les/PB1692.pdf