Question

Gymnosperm and angiosperm woods are describe as softwood and
hardwood, respectively. Why is that so?

Answer 1

These two groups of plants have evolved in the course of evolutionary time. These two groups of plants are named so as flowerless plants and flowering plants respectively. We call them so because of their reproduction method. As we know that trees have to produce seeds in order to reproduce, but their structure varies.

Gymnosperm [softwood]: Softwood, their seeds would fall to the ground, and they are coverless. For example, pine trees, their seeds they would release in the wind once they are matured. This adaptation because of their seeds to be spread over a larger area.

Another way to see it is, these trees lose their leaves during the cold season, for example, evergreen trees. These trees are less dense in nature.

Angiosperm [hardwood]: Hardwood, these plants have seed covered. For example, acorn, apple, etc.

These trees keep their leaves during the cold season, for example, deciduous trees. These trees are comparatively harder in nature.