The difference between a hardwood and a softwood isn’t actually how strong it is. Certain “softwoods” are technically harder than certain “hardwoods.” The difference between the two types of wood is in their structure and seed reproduction. Hardwood trees tend to be deciduous (but not always) and are angiosperms, which means they produce seeds inside a “fruit.” A few common hardwood trees include Oak, Maple, and Walnut. Softwood trees are coniferous and gymnosperms, which means they produce “naked” seeds. Common softwood trees include Cedar, Pine, and Redwood.

Ironwood is so dense that it sinks in water. Desert Ironwood is an ecologically vital species found in the Sonoran Desert and is protected.

The confirmed oldest tree in the world is right here in California’s White Mountains. It is an approximately 4,850 year old Bristlecone Pine called Methuselah.

At 330.7 feet, Menara, a Yellow Meranti in Sabah, Borneo, is believed to be the tallest living hardwood tree in the world.

Every state has an official tree. Here in California, it is, unsurprisingly, the California Redwood (which actually includes two species: the Coast Redwood and the Giant Sequoia).

The African Baobab has the widest diameter trunk at just under 50 feet across, but it’s not actually a hardwood. It’s more of a succulent with very spongy, soft, and fibrous wood.

The General Sherman, a Giant Sequoia in California’s Sequoia National Park, is the biggest tree in the world at over 52,500 cubic feet.

Gaboon Ebony is considered to be the blackest wood, though African Blackwood is also known for its beautifully dense, dark, and stable hardwood.

Trees release water vapor into the air through a process called transpiration, which will actually increase rainfall if there are enough trees. Want more rain? Plant more trees.

Purpleheart is, as the name implies, a purple hardwood. The heartwood is a duller purplish brown when freshly cut but with exposure to air becomes a beautiful deep purple. No staining necessary! (The purple does eventually get duller with age, however).