Hardwood forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. They support hundreds of tree species, tens or hundreds of other plants species and hundreds of animal species.
Broadleaves enrich soil and make it better growing matter than needle leaves. Needle leaves in fact have alelopathic properties. This means that they make it harder for other plants to grow under conifers.
According to the United States forest service, hardwoods absorb more carbon dioxide than conifers.
Hardwoods produce wood which is stronger than softwoods.
Hardwoods also produce massive amounts of food products. Such as:
Maple Syrup
Apple
Apricot
Cherry
Citrus (orange, lemon, lime, etc.)
Pear
Peach and nectarine
Persimmon
Plum
Almond
Beechnut
Brazil nut
Cashew
Chestnut
Filbert
Hazelnut
Hickory nut
Macadamia nut
Pecan
Pistachio
Shea nut
Walnut
Hardwood is the preferred wood for cooking and heating. Softwoods like pine contain high amounts of flammable resins which can lead to a creosote build up in chimneys and stove flues which risks a chimney and even house fire. Hardwoods are more dense therefore they burn longer and hotter than softwoods. The high amount of sugar in hardwood means that hardwood smoke adds desirable perfumes and flavors to foods cooked over hard woods.
The tannins in hardwoods makes them useful for leather and hide processing.
People who make lye soap the old fashioned way use hardwood to make lye.
Aspirin was originally derived from a hardwood tree the willow oak. This medicine is not only a pain reliever, but its anti-clotting properties allow it to reduce the risk and severity of heart attacks and strokes thereby saving lives.
Broadleaves enrich soil and make it better growing matter than needle leaves. Needle leaves in fact have alelopathic properties. This means that they make it harder for other plants to grow under conifers.
According to the United States forest service, hardwoods absorb more carbon dioxide than conifers.
Hardwoods produce wood which is stronger than softwoods.
Hardwoods also produce massive amounts of food products. Such as:
Maple Syrup
Apple
Apricot
Cherry
Citrus (orange, lemon, lime, etc.)
Pear
Peach and nectarine
Persimmon
Plum
Almond
Beechnut
Brazil nut
Cashew
Chestnut
Filbert
Hazelnut
Hickory nut
Macadamia nut
Pecan
Pistachio
Shea nut
Walnut
Hardwood is the preferred wood for cooking and heating. Softwoods like pine contain high amounts of flammable resins which can lead to a creosote build up in chimneys and stove flues which risks a chimney and even house fire. Hardwoods are more dense therefore they burn longer and hotter than softwoods. The high amount of sugar in hardwood means that hardwood smoke adds desirable perfumes and flavors to foods cooked over hard woods.
The tannins in hardwoods makes them useful for leather and hide processing.
People who make lye soap the old fashioned way use hardwood to make lye.
Aspirin was originally derived from a hardwood tree the willow oak. This medicine is not only a pain reliever, but its anti-clotting properties allow it to reduce the risk and severity of heart attacks and strokes thereby saving lives.