What are the properties of fir wood?

It comes from deciduous trees and therefore loses its leaves in the winter and the trees are typically broadleafed.

Hardwoods are typically denser and grow slower than softwoods, and usually have an open grain--like oak and ash, but can be closed grain-like maple and poplar. Hardwoods are typically not a knotty as softwoods, so have straighter, cleaner grain patterns.

There are exceptions of course. Both balsa and English brown oak are considered hardwoods and both are soft enough to damage with bare hands.