Here's todays fact.
David
Not all wood that comes from hardwood {flowering} broadleaf trees is hard and wood that comes from softwood {conifers} cone-bearing trees is soft. There are exceptions to this, for instance Balsa {Ochroma pyramidale} and Basswood {Tilia americana} are hardwoods even though they are extremely soft. Pacific Yew {Taxus brevifolia} is a softwood but is harder than most Maples {Acer spp.}, Oaks {Quercus spp.} or Walnuts {Juglans spp.}.