WOODS

 The main difference between hardwood and softwood is that hardwood trees are typically slower growers which leads to a denser wood. 

The classification of whether a tree is considered a hardwood or softwood comes down to the seed it produces, not the hardness of the Wood.

 Cedar and Pine are both popular softwoods that have a variety of uses and can be painted or left natural for a beautiful finish.

 Regardless of how the term sounds, softwood is not always softer than hardwood.