What to know

  • Softwood trunks are different from common hardwood logs
  • Only specific tree types count as softwood
  • Aspen trees are the primary early-game source
  • Softwood trunks are needed to upgrade the Farmer’s Workbench

In Hytale, not all wood types serve the same purpose. When you reach the point of upgrading the Farmer’s Workbench, regular logs like oak or birch won’t work. Instead, you need softwood trunks, which come from a specific tree type.

Quick glance at softwood trunks

AspectDetails
Resource nameSoftwood Trunks
Tree sourceAspen trees
Hardwood treesOak, birch (not valid)
Key useUpgrade Farmer’s Workbench
Tool neededAny basic axe

Understanding softwood vs hardwood in Hytale

Most trees you encounter early—such as oak or birch—are classified as hardwood, even if they visually resemble softwood in other games. For crafting and upgrades, Hytale treats softwood as a separate category tied to specific species rather than general appearance.

Aspen trees are one of the first softwood sources you can access, making them essential for early farming progression.

How to get softwood trunks in Hytale

Step 1: Look for aspen trees

Scan forested areas for trees with orangey-colored trunks. These stand out from birch trees, which have lighter, white-toned bark. Aspen trees are the ones you want.

Look for aspen trees (Image credit: Hypixel Studios / Via: YouTube - The Gaming Snowman)
Step 2: Confirm the tree type

If you’re unsure, press the F7 key while targeting the tree. An info overlay appears, clearly labeling the block as Aspen Trunk or Aspen Wood, confirming it will yield softwood.

Confirm the tree type (Image credit: Hypixel Studios / Via: YouTube - The Gaming Snowman)
Step 3: Chop down the aspen tree

Use an axe to cut down the tree. Once harvested, the logs you collect count as softwood trunks, even though they’re labeled as aspen logs in your inventory.

Chop down the aspen tree (Image credit: Hypixel Studios / Via: YouTube - The Gaming Snowman)
Step 4: Collect and store the trunks

Gather enough aspen logs to meet your upgrade requirements. These can be stored like regular wood until you’re ready to use them.

How softwood trunks are used to upgrade the Farmer’s Workbench

Softwood trunks are a required material for upgrading the Farmer’s Workbench, unlocking additional farming-related recipes and progression options. Without softwood, the upgrade cannot be completed, regardless of how much hardwood you have.

Farmer’s Workbench (Image credit: Hypixel Studios / Via: YouTube - The Gaming Snowman)

Common mistakes to avoid

Many players assume birch logs count as softwood because of their appearance. In Hytale, they do not. Always rely on the tree species, not the color alone, and use F7 when in doubt.


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