The main visual elements of softwoods, tracheids, are very similar in appearance, making softwood species differentiation much harder, even with the aid of a microscope. Resin canals in softwoods may be confused with vessels. In general, the term 'hardwood' applies to woods from deciduous and evergreen, broad-leaved trees, or dicotyledons. It does not mean 'hardness' in the normal sense, but is a botanical classification. For example, the lightest-known woods are termed 'hardwoods'.
Hardwoods are more complex, being of more recent evolution.
They occur in all climate types where trees grow. They bear seed-containing fruit and come from the botanical group called Angiosperms. Softwoods generally come from coniferous or needle-leaved trees. They are simpler in structure and more ancient than hardwoods. They grow mainly in temperate and cool climates and comprise about 600 species.