Softwoods have needles instead of the broad leaves found on hardwood trees such as cherry, walnut, and oak. Softwood lumber is lightweight and flexible, yet strong and easy to saw, plane, and nail. These properties make it ideal for home construction, and its long, strong fibers make excellent paper products. More than 20 tree species live in Idaho's forests, and each has a preferred growing range.
Many factors contribute to the relative suitability of a growing range for each species of tree.
As elevation increases, temperatures decrease and moisture levels rise. Trees that require more water and can withstand colder temperatures tend to be found higher on the slopes. Other species that can withstand higher temperatures and drier soils grow at lower elevations. Major Commercial Softwood Species Of the ten major softwood species, eight are extremely important for their commercial value. Lodgepole Pine Named for the tall, slender lodgepoles used to make teepees, lodgepole pines still provide shelter as framing or finishing lumber in our homes.