It is important to choose the species of trees according to how valuable they are to capture CO2 during their growth.
Hardwood and softwood differences actually have to do with plant reproduction, but are also more useful as terms for categorizing harvestable trees rather than good-producing trees. All trees reproduce by producing seeds, but seed structures vary. Our partners also propagate trees (especially fruit trees) by using cuttings.
Hardwood trees are angiosperms, plants that produce seeds with some sort of covering. This might be a fruit, such as an apple, or a hard shell, such as an acorn or hickory nut.
HARDWOOD — Trees with broad, flat leaves as opposed to coniferous or needled trees. Wood hardness varies among the hardwood species, and some are actually softer than some softwoods.
DECIDUOUS — perennial plants which are normally leafless for some time during the year.
BROADLEAF — A tree with leaves that are broad, flat and thin and generally shed annually.
Species of trees planted
| Name |
Carbon value |
% planted |
| Mahogany |
ideal |
15% |
| Acacia |
ideal |
15% |
| Oak |
ideal |
6% |
| Eucalyptus |
ideal |
5% |
| Teak |
ideal |
2% |
| Laurel |
ideal |
1% |
| Leucaena |
ideal |
1% |
Softwoods, on the other hand, are gymnosperms (conifers) with “naked” seed. These plants have seeds that fall to the ground with no covering. Pines, firs and spruces, which grow seeds in cones, fall into this category. In conifers, seeds are released into the wind once they mature. This spreads the plant’s seed over a wide area.
Softwood trees are usually evergreen, bear cones, and have needles or scale-like leaves. They include pine, spruces, firs, and cedars. Wood hardness varies among the conifer species, and some are actually harder than some hardwoods.
CONIFER — A tree belonging to the order Coniferales. Trees with needles or scale-like leaves and cones as opposed to broad, flat leaves that more often than not are coneless.
EVERGREEN — perennial plants which normally keep foliage or needles through the entire year.
Species of trees planted
| Name |
Carbon value |
% planted |
| Cedar |
moderate |
15% |
Fruit and nut trees are typically not considered as either hardwood or softwood, since the primary usage of those terms is for harvestable wood, while fruit and nut trees have a far more vital function as food-producers rather than as sources of timber.
Species
| Name |
Carbon value |
% planted |
| Orange |
moderate |
5% |
| Lemon |
moderate |
1% |
| Mango |
moderate |
1% |
| Mandarin |
moderate |
1% |
| Guaba |
moderate |
1% |
| Avocado |
moderate |
1% |
| Peach palm |
moderate |
1% |
| Breadfruit |
moderate |
1% |
| Breadnut |
moderate |
1% |
| Coconut |
moderate |
1% |
Footnote: Data supplied by Sustainable Harvest International, reproduced with permission.