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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resin Content
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities
Weathering

Scientific Name
Pinus palustris

Trade Name
Longleaf pine

Family Name
Pinaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
American pitch pine, Cedar pine, Florida longleaf pine, Florida yellow pine, Georgia pine, Georgia yellow pine, Hard pine, Heart pine, Long leaf pitch pine, Longleaf pine, Longleaf pitch pine, Longstraw pine, Palustris pine, Palustris-den, Pine, Pitch pine, Southern yellow pine, Spruce pine, Straw pine, Texas yellow pine, Walter pine, Yellow pine

Regions of Distribution
North America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
United States

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Barge fenders, Beams, Boards, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: masts, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Chemical derivatives, Crossties, Decks, Decorative veneer, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Dressed boards, Factory construction, Fiberboard, Figured veneer, Flooring, Furniture, Harbor work, Hardboards, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Joists, Light construction, Lock gates, Lumber, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Naval architecture, Paneling , Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Piling, Planks, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Raft floats, Rafts, Railroad ties, Rough boards/dimension stock, Rough construction, Sporting Goods, Structural plywood, Structural work, Studs, Sub-flooring, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wharf construction

Environmental Profile
Widespread, abundant and globally secure
Some long-term concern for the species
May be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery
Data source is Nature Conservancy


Distribution Overview
The species is found in well-drained sandy soils of flatlands and sandhills, and often grows in pure stands. Its range is mainly confined to the sandy and gravelly deposits of the Coastal Plains, from southeastern Virginia to eastern Florida, and west to eastern Texas. Longleaf pine essentiallys grow at sea level, usually below 600 feet (183 m), but is also found at elevations of up to 2000 feet (615 m) in the foothilhs of Piedmont.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
White
Yellow
Orange
Pink
Purple
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Reddish brown
Pale brown
White to cream
Pale red to pink
Brown
Yellow, but may contain blue-black sap stain
Red
Light yellow, orange, and red


Slow-Growth Longleaf pine usually recovered from structural timbers in pre-1900 warehouses and factories, or as sunken logs from river bottoms have a yellow heratwood after cutting, but the color turns to a deep pinkish tan to warm reddish brown within weeks because of high resin content
The tree is believed to develop heartwood late in its life (18 years).

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Red
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Whitish to yellowish, orange-white, or pale yellow
Well defined
Variable width


Grain
Figure
Growth rings (figure)
Straight
Distinct (figure)
Even

Clear growth rings (figure)
Straight
Distinct figure
Straight and uneven

Contrast between transition from earlywood to latewood is described as striking in its abruptness.

Texture
Fine
Medium
Even or uniform
Uniform
Coarse
Fine
Medium
Medium coarse to coarse
Coarse


Natural Growth Defects
Gum/resin exudation
Latex or other ducts
Gum/resin streaks


Natural Durability
Non-durable
Durable
Moderately durable
Perishable
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-resistant to termites
Resistant to powder post beetles
Moderately durable
Very durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Resistant to attack from marine borers
Durable
Resistant to wood staining fungal attack
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable
Moderate resistance
Heartwood is fairly resistant to termites and other insects
Easily treated with chemical preservatives allowing it to be used in exterior applications


Weathering
Good


Odor
Has an odor
Very fine
Distinct (figure)
Non-Descriptive resinous odor
No specific taste
Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct


Resin Content
Sapwood contains 2% resin
Heartwood contains 7% to 10% resin
Heartwood butt logs and stumps contain 15% to 25% resin

Longleaf pine is also the primary source of naval stores, such as turpentine and resin

Kiln Schedules
Dry at a moderate speed
UK=L US=T146C6S/T12C5S
UK=F US=T6D4/T3D3 Fr=6
Regular T13-C6(4/4); T12-C5 (8/4) Schedule L (4/4) United Kingdom
Dry at a slow speed
Different kiln schedules recommended for highest quality stock


Drying Defects
Resin Exudation
Ring Shakes
Discoloration
Distortion
Slight surface checking
Moderate surface checking
Moderate end spitting
Slight end splitting
Severe surface checking
Severe end splitting
No twisting or warping
No cupping, generally
Excessive drying temperatures may cause checks, splits and brown sapwood stains


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Gum Exudation
Slowly
Reconditioning Treatement
Easy
Moderate


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries quickly
Naturally dries at a moderate speed


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is straight


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Tree height is 40-50 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 60-70 m
Tree height is 50-60 m
Tree height is greater than 70 m
Bark width is 30-40 mm
Bark width is 40-50 mm
Bark width is 25-30 mm
Tree height is 10-20 m


Certified Source
Certified Source


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory

Blunting Effect
Little
Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges


Boring
Fairly easy to very easy
Fair to good results


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Moderate cutting resistance
Long pitch saws recommended


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Moderate gluing properties
Easy to glue


Mortising
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Moulding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Stable
Medium


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Very good nail-holding properties
Holds nails well
Easy to nail


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Responds fairly well to ordinary machine tools, with moderate cutting resistance
It planes, turns, moulds, bores, and mortises fairly well to yield generally clean finishes
High resin content may be troublesome since cutters tend to gum up


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Permeable heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Incising before treatment is unnecessary
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Cellular structure allwos deep, uniform penetration


Resistance to Splitting
Satisfactory
Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Moderate working qualities
Easy to machine
Responds fairly wel to hand tools, with moderate cutting resistance


Routing & Recessing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Sanding
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good sanding properties


Screwing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Very good screw holding qualities
Screwing yields good results
Easy to screw


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Veneering Qualities
Veneers moderately easy
Difficult to veneer
Veneers easily
Suitable for peeling
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Moderately easy to veneer


Steam Bending
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Unsuitable for steam bending applications because of high resin content


Painting
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory results
Satisfactory painting properties


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fairly satisfactory finishing treatments


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Responds fairly satisfactoril to most finishing treatments


Varnishing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Takes varnishes satisfactorily
Satisfactory


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Max. crushing strength = medium
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = high
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Resists wearing and marring
Resists denting and marring
High weight
High in density
Hardness = medium
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high
Bending strength (MOR) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength863714117psi
Crushing Strength470941psi
Density41lbs/ft3
Hardness942lbs
Impact Strength3431inches
Maximum Crushing Strength48108274psi
Shearing Strength1633psi
Stiffness164419711000 psi
Work to Maximum Load79inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.510.55
Weight4340lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength607992kg/cm2
Crushing Strength3366kg/cm2
Density657kg/m3
Hardness427kg
Impact Strength8678cm
Maximum Crushing Strength338581kg/cm2
Shearing Strength114kg/cm2
Stiffness1151381000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load0.490.63cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.510.55
Weight689641kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa.

Betts, H.S.,1954,American Woods - The Southern Pines,USDA, Forest Service American Woods

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brooks, R.L., et al,1941,Durability tests on Untreated Timbers in Trinidad,Caribbean Forester,2(3,pp101-119

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA

Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London

Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London

Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1957,Timbers for Flooring,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Bulletin, No.40

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Kaiser, Jo-Ann. Wood of the Month: Southern Pine - The Commercial Name for 10 Species. Wood & Wood Products, June, 1991.

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479

Mirov, N.T. 1967. The Genus PINUS. The Ronald Press Company, New York. LCC Card No. 67-14783.

NWFA. 1994. Wood Species Used in Wood Flooring. Technical Publication No. A200. National Wood Flooring Association, Manchester, MO.

Oliver, A.C.,1974,Timber for Marine and Freshwater Construction,TRADA, London

Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. 1980. Textbook of Wood Technology, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers

Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36

Stone, H.,1924,The Timbers of Commerce and their Identification,William Rider & Sons Ltd. London

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.