Basswood?

[tallpines]

Hardwood or soft?

Just yerterday I was at an auction that had new, locally crafted planks with all sorts of fancy carvings on them.

Eagles, loons, wolves, cabin and pine trees, etc.

They said they were basswood......easy carving.

I know DH doesn't like the basswood for the furnace----I thought because it was SOFT.

But on another thread here, someone calls it "hard".

Post #23 on
http://homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=102601

Which is it?

[Cabin Fever]

Technically speaking (I'm beginning to sound like Arborethic), any deciduous tree species (for you rebs, that's trees with leaves) is considered "hardwood." Any evergreen tree species with needles (including spruce, fir, pine, cedars and larch and tamarack) are considered "softwoods." Realistically speaking, many hardwoods, like poplar and basswood, have low density giving them their characteristic "softness" and low heat value compared to other hardwoods like oak and hickory.

[rambler]

It is one of the softest 'hardwoods', and not worth much for structural use or heating.

--->Paul

[Beeman]

Excellent wood for carving especially for beginners, it carves like soap.