Unit 2

Hardwoods - Not necessarily hard. Balsa wood for example is physically very soft but it is technically a hard wood. Hardwoods come from bread-leaved trees whose seeds are enclosed. Common hardwood trees include oak, mahogany and beech, hardwood trees usually grow in warmer climates and take on average 80 - 100 years to reach maturity.

Due to the relatively long time they take to grow, hardwoods tend to be more expensive than softwoods. Very often hardwoods come from inaccessible places and this also adds to the cost.

Added to this, there is also an environmental issue. If a…