ABSTRACT
The hardwoods and softwoods difference is in their botanical classification. Hardwoods are Angiosperms with their seeds protected in fruits and are broadleaved. Softwoods are gymnosperms with naked seeds, recognizable as cones, and their leaves are needle-like and often coniferous or evergreen. In the case of Pinus sylvestris the name will indicate that the timber belongs to the pine family. Timber can only be properly identified by looking at its anatomical structure. A hand lens is sufficient for hardwoods but a microscope is needed to identify softwoods. Timber has a natural directional strength due to its cellulose tube structure, and crack propagation will take place preferentially along the grain. The two main types of fungal attack in buildings that seriously weaken timber are dry rot and wet rot. The life cycles of fungi all start from a fruiting body which produces great numbers of spores.
