How do you get softwood on sims 2 castaway?

You first have to identify the tree (it has green leaves and the bark is greyish) which is the papaya tree, then you have to make a shell axe (with the resource's needed for it) and then it should come up when you go up to it to harvest soft wood, and/or harvest papayas. Once you have harvested it you won't be able to harvest again for quite a while (it has to grow the wood back),

I hope my answer is useful,