Angiosperm trees which provide us with hardwood are categorized as hardwood trees. Here is a list of the trees from this category, and information on some important ones.
The hardwood trees are characterized by the quality of producing high density wood. Features like broad leaves and the production of nuts/fruits are also observed. Most of them being deciduous in nature, they become dormant in the winter season.
Some of the popular ones are the oak, walnut, hickory, maple, etc. Amongst the tropical ones, mahogany, teak, ebony, and luan, are the important ones. Holm oak, boxwood, holly, etc., are some of the European ones, and are evergreen in nature.
In Florida, the Florida Clover Ash is a significant. Wood obtained from these trees can be used in making furniture items, for house construction, and also in mold-making. They are known to produce good amount of shade, and are also quite resistant to damage resulting from wind.
Some Important Hardwood Trees
♣ Oak: Belonging to the northern hemisphere, this plant has 600 species. Its different types are evergreen and deciduous trees. The leaves have lobed margins, and are spirally arranged. Oakwood is known for its hardness, strength and 0.75 g/cubic cm density. It is resistant to fungi, insects due to high tannin content.
♣ Hickory: Hardwood plants of the genus Carya. Out of 18 species, 15 originate in the eastern region of North America, and 3 belong to Asia. Hickory trees grow up to the height of 100 feet. Pecan is one of the valuable hickory species, and produces light-colored wood. Nuts produced by hickory are flavorful.
♣ Mahogany: This is a tropical, evergreen type, which produces white flowers in clusters. The wood obtained from mahogany turns reddish brown in color, upon reaching maturity. It has a straight-grained pattern, and doesn't have pockets or voids. It is considered highly durable.
♣ Teak: The teak is native to countries from south and south-east Asia. Its height ranges from 90-120 feet. Wood obtained from this tree is used for making window frames and doors in countries like India. The wood from mature teak trees brings high price, and its specialty is that it resists termite attacks.
♣ Empress Tree: Being originally from China and Japan, the empress tree was imported to the United States.
Scientifically known as Paulownia tomentosa, it reaches an average height of 50 feet. This is a hardy plant, and therefore, requires very less attention. It can, therefore, be used in landscaping. Wood obtained from this tree is used in Oriental furniture, and therefore, the production of this plant has become economically viable.
♣ Silver Maple: The dense and quick root growth fastens its growth rate.
It can reach a height between 80-100 feet, and can be found in eastern regions of the United States. It is necessary to prune this tree, in order to control its vigorous growth.
♣ Black Walnut: This fast-growing tree produces straight-grained, fine wood. A mature black walnut tree can be more than 100 feet high. Creating veneer surfaces is a common use. One of its special features is a chemical called juglone present in its trunk, leaves, roots, and trunk husks, which inhibits the growth of other plants growing in the vicinity.
List of Other Hardwood Trees
Here is a list of some names of important trees:
♣ American Beech ♣ Autumn Purple Ash
♣ American Hornbeam ♣ Black Willow
♣ Black Locust
♣ Black Cherry ♣ Blue Ash
♣ Cacao ♣ Coastal Sandalwood
♣ Camphor Tree ♣ Common Hackberry
♣ Canadian Serviceberry ♣ Cootamundra Wattle
♣ Canistel ♣ Crimean Linden
♣ Carolina Ash ♣ Devilwood
♣ Chinese Banyan ♣ Eben Tree
♣ Date Palm ♣ Firetree
♣ Eucalyptus ♣ Florida Clover Ash
♣ Grapefruit ♣ Ginkgo ♣ Grumichama ♣ Japanese Angelica Tree
♣ Kiawe ♣ Jarrah
♣ Koa ♣ Katsure Tree ♣ Lucuma
♣ Lemon ♣ Klamath Plum
♣ Lychee ♣ Lama
♣ Magnolia Tree ♣ Lata ♣ Longan
♣ Mangrove ♣ Limeberry
♣ Melaleuca ♣ Mimosa ♣ Mulga ♣ Mangosteen
Hardwood is used for a number of applications like manufacturing charcoal, construction, making musical instruments, cooking, etc. However, due to over-exploitation, quite a few species of the teak, mahogany, and other hardwood trees, have become scarce.