properties of hardwoods and softwoods

hardwoods:

teak

origin: Burma, India

hardwood: yes

hardness: hard

weight: heavy

strength: strong

durability: high

suitable for exterior work:yes

tendency to move: low

suitability for turning: good

ability to be steam bent: intermediate

ease of planing/cutting: hard

finishes well: yes

oak

origin: according to country of origin
hardwood: yes
hardness: hard
weight: heavy
strength: strong
durability: high
suitable for exterior work: yes
tendency to move: intermediate
suitability for turning: good
ability to be steam bent: good
ease of planing/cutting: hard
finishes well: yes

elm

origin: UK

hardwood: yes

hardness: intermediate

weight: intermediate

strength:

durability: low

suitable for exterior work: no

tendency to move: intermediate

suitability for turning: good

ability to be steam bent: good

ease of planing/cutting: intermediate

finishes well: yes

softwood

douglas fir

origin: north america

hardwood: no
hardness:
weight: quite variable
durability:

strength: moderate to high
suitable for exterior work:
tendency to move:
suitability for turning: good
ability to be steam bent:
ease of planing/cutting:
finishes well:

scotts pine
origin: Russia, Scandinavia, UK
hardwood: no
hardness: intermediate
weight: intermediate
durability: low
tendency to move: intermediate
suitability for turning: intermediate
ability to be steam bent: poor
ease of planing/cutting: easy
finishes well: yes

western red cedar

origin: Canada, USA, UK
hardwood: no
hardness: soft
weight: light
strength: weak
durability: high
suitable for exterior work: yes
tendency to move: low
suitability for turning: poor
ability to be steam bent: poor
ease of planing/cutting: easy
finishes well: yes