HARDWOOD

timber obtained from angiospermous, or flower-bearing, trees that have broad leaves. Hardwood trees are deciduous, except in the warmest regions, and shed their leaves at the end of each growing season. Hardwood is the source of about 20 percent of the world's production of lumber. The term hardwood is a classification of material, known originally from such hard European woods as beech and oak but actually including both the hardest and the softest of woods. Many beautiful hardwoods are known, including such cabinet timbers as American black walnut, rosewood, teak, ebony, primavera, maple, satinwood, greenheart, and various mahoganies.