I wonder what our handyman, Mike, thinks about Trump now...

[hatrack]

43. "Softwoods" generically means conifers, as noted above. . .

They're the main material for stick-built homes, which is what most new US houses are. Something like 90% of American homes use softwoods for framing, roofs, etc., along with plywood and chipboard and other laminates.

Hardwoods (oak, maple, walnut) are usually limited to furniture, veneers and decorative applications like fireplace mantles or accents (along with gun stocks and baseball bats and the like).