Is soft wood more porous than hardwood?

Yes, softwood is generally more porous than hardwood. Softwoods, which come from coniferous trees like pines and firs, typically have a simpler structure with larger pores called tracheids, making them less dense. Hardwood, from deciduous trees like oaks and maples, has a more complex structure with smaller, more densely packed pores, resulting in greater density and strength. This difference in porosity contributes to the varying characteristics and uses of each type of wood.