APPEARANCE

Color: Heartwood varies from light yellow / orange to reddish brown or yellowish brown; sapwood is light tan to yellowish white.
Grain: Closed, with high figuring; patterns range from clear to knotty.
Species & Grade Variations: Longleaf pine (P. palustris), shortleaf pine (P. echinata), loblolly pine (P. taeda), slash pine (P. elliottii).  All have many of the same characteristics as Douglas Fir.  Old-growth lumber in these varieties has substantially higher density and is more stable than second-growth material.

PROPERTIES

Hardness (Janka): Loblolly and shortleaf 690, 47% softer than Northern Red Oak; longleaf 870, 33% softer than Red Oak.
Dimensional Stability: Above average (change coefficient .00265, 28% more stable than Red Oak).
Durability: Soft, fairly durable, although not as resistant to scuffs, dents and abrasions as the hardwoods.  Often used as flooring, but may not be suitable for all applications due to its softness.

WORKABILITY

Sawing / Machining: Good machining qualities.
Sanding: Resin in wood tends to clog abrasives; frequent sandpaper changes are required.
Nailing: Good holding ability and resistance to splitting.
Finishing: A durable finish can help minimize wear.
Comments: Generally manufactured for flooring with no end-match; sometimes flooring is "distressed" to create an antique look.

COST

(relative to plainsawn select Red Oak)
Multiplier:  0.95

AVAILABILITY