Southern magnolia trees are classified as a hardwood. While most evergreen trees are considered a softwood, an exception is made for this species. The creamy wood color has led to the tree’s use in decorative woodworking. Due to its average strength and split-resistance, it is also used in lumber production and general construction. Different magnolia cultivars will have different wood densities — for instance, the bigleaf southern magnolia has harder wood, making it more akin to oak or maple.