Question

Differentiate between Porous (Hard) wood and non-porous (soft) wood.

Answer 1

Hint: Xylem is a compound permanent vascular tissue. Helps in the conduction of water and minerals from roots to all the parts of the plant body. Xylem is a diverse tissue composed of 4 different kinds of elements namely tracheids, tracheae, xylem parenchyma, and xylem fibres.

Complete answer:
Hardwood (Porous):
-Hardwood is defined as the wood of dicot Angiosperms.
-Wood is tough and hefty with a rough appearance.
-Vessels are present.
-Because of the presence of vessels, hardwood is known as porous wood.
-Tracheids content is less in the hardwood.
-5-10% of tracheids content is present in hardwood.
-The internal structure of hardwood is difficult.
-Hardwood is not best for making furniture.
-Example for hardwood trees, Teak, Rosewood, Mahogany etc.
Softwood (Non-porous):
- Softwood is defined as the wood of Gymnosperms.
-Wood is sloppy and thin with a fine texture.
-Vessels are absent.
-Because of the absence of vessels, softwood is known as non-porous wood.
-Tracheids content is more in softwood.
-90-95% of tracheid content is present in softwood.
-The internal structure of softwood is simple.
-Softwood is best for making furniture.
-Example for softwood trees, Araucaria, cedar, cypress etc.

Note:
After the secondary growth cambium formation takes place. Wood is developed through the successive addition of secondary xylem and form vascular calcium. Heartwood and sapwood ate secondary xylem. Both are weight and tough. Both contain tracheids and parenchyma. Deciduous trees after losing their leaves form a hardwood growth is slow in hardwood. Conifers form a soft usually it is evergreen. Softwood is more widely used than hardwood.