Which of the following is a softwood species?

• A. Pine
• B. Cedar
• C. Oak
• D. Fir

Answer: (A)

Softwoods come from coniferous trees, which are typically evergreen and have needles and cones. The wood from these trees is usually lighter and easier to work with than hardwoods, which come from broadleaf trees. Pine fits this category because it is a conifer, so its wood is generally light and easy to cut or shape. Oak, by contrast, is a hardwood from a broadleaf tree and is heavier and denser. Cedar and Fir are also softwoods in botanical terms, but this item uses Pine as the example of a softwood.