Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring 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 Schedules Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution 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		Scientific Name Pinus ponderosa Trade Name Ponderosa pine Family Name Pinaceae Common Names Big pine, Bird's-eye pine, Black jack pine, Black pine, Blackjack pine, British Colombia soft pine, Bull pine, Californian white pine, Knotty pine, Lodgepole pine, Oregon pine, Pine, Pitch pine, Pole pine, Ponderosa pine, Pondosa pine, Prickly pine, Western pine, Western soft pine, Western yellow pine, Yellow pine Regions of Distribution North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, United States Common Uses Agricultural implements, Beams, Bedroom suites, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory construction, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, General carpentry, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Pallets, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Partitions, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Roofing, Screens, Toys, Turnery, Veneer Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Widespread, abundant and globally secure May be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery Data source is Nature Conservancy Distribution Overview The most widely distributed of the pines in North America, Ponderosa pine grows from British Columbia to near the Mexican border. The species is found in Alberta, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It grow mostly in the mountains, often in pure stands to form extensive forests, but may also be in mixed coniferous forests. Ponderosa pine grow from sea level in the northern parts of its range to an altitude of up 9000 feet (2745 m) in the south, with the best stand of trees occuring between 4000 and 8000 feet (1220 and 2440 m). Heartwood Color Red Reddish brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown White to cream Deep yellow to reddish brown, yellowish to light reddish, or orange brown Brown Sapwood Color White White to yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood Whitish to pale yellow Very thick in mature trees Grain Straight Figure Growth rings (figure) Even Distinct (figure) Birds-eye (figure) Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Distinct figure Straight and even Fine, dark lines of resin ducts and numerous knots that generally sound Figured with bird's-eye pattern and dimples on split tangnetial surfaces Texture Medium coarse to coarse Fine Medium Uniform Fine to medium Coarse Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin streaks Gum/resin exudation Latex or other ducts Natural Durability Non durable Moderately durable Very little natural resistance to attack by decay fungi and other wood destroying organisms Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Should not be used under high decay hazard conditions without proper protection Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately resistant Odor No specific taste Clear and pleasant pine odor Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=L US=T146C6S/T12C5S Standard T9-C6(4/4); T7-C5(8/4)US Schedule L (4/4) United Kingdom Antibrown stain. T7-E6(4/4); T7-E5 (8/4) US Drying Defects May warp during drying due to juvenile and compression wood Expect resin/gum exudation Chemical brown stains Ease of Drying Easy Rapid conversion of logs and seasoning of lumber to prevent blue stains Moderate Easy to dry Strength is unaffected by blue stains, and can be hidden with paint or accented with clear finishes and used as lower grade lumber. Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Comments Abnormal wood tissue in the form of compression wood may be present General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate Blunting effect on machining is slight Slight blunting effect on cutting edges Blunting effect on sawing green wood is mild Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Easy Responds very well to boring Cutting Resistance Gum-Up Easy to saw Saws well Resin exudation may gum up sawteeth Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Good gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finishes well Easy to mortise Excellent mortising characteristics Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good finishing results Easy to mould Very good moulding properties Movement in Service Stable Small dimensional changes in response to climate fluctuations in immediate surrounding Dimensionally stable after seasoning Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Holds nails well Easy to nail Satisfactory resistance to decay above ground Good nail holding properties Excellent resistance to splitting in nailing operations Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Very good planning properties Pitch build-up on tools could be a problem Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Permeable Sapwood is permeable Sapwood in mature trees absorb preservatives readily Heartwood is moderately resistant Resistance to Splitting Good Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Works easily with hand tools, with little blunting effect on cutting edges Typically sound knots Resin exudation may interfere with some woodworking operations Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Routing yields good results Routing is easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Screwing yields good results Good screw holding properties Excellent screwing properties Easy to screw Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Easy to turn Turns well Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Suitable for peeling No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Steam Bending Exudation Poor to Very Poor Results Painting Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Good results Pre-treat wood surfaces with sealer before painting to prevent the bleeding of finishes Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally good Staining (Characteristic) = coloured water-soluble extract Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Takes variety of finishes well Requires some surface preparation Good results Strength Properties Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Work to Maximum Load = very low Max. crushing strength = low Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness (total work) = very low Toughness (total work) = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Surfaces may dent or scratch easily Soft Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Medium bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12% moisture content) Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Average weight Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5661 9519 psi Crushing Strength 309 666 psi Density 30 lbs/ft3 Hardness 392 lbs Impact Strength 22 17 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2707 5230 psi Shearing Strength 1046 psi Static Bending 3234 6272 psi Stiffness 1054 1284 1000 psi Toughness 123 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 5 7 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.38 0.4 Weight 33 29 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 398 669 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 21 46 kg/cm2 Density 480 kg/m3 Hardness 177 kg Impact Strength 55 43 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 190 367 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 73 kg/cm2 Static Bending 227 440 kg/cm2 Stiffness 74 90 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 141 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.49 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.38 0.4 Weight 528 464 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % References 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. Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA Canadian Forestry Service. 1981. Canadian Woods - Their Properties and Uses. Third Edition. E.J. Mullins and T.S. McKnight, Editors. Published by University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada. 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.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research 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 Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio. Kaiser, Jo-Ann. Wood of the Month: Ponderosa Pine - The Star of the Western Pines. Wood & Wood Products, August, 1991. Page 54. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kotok, E.S.,1973,American Woods - Ponderosa Pine,USDA, Forest Service American Woods FS-254 Kukachka, B.F.,1962,Characters of Some Imported Woods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series,No.2242 Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western 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. Mullins, E.J. and McKnight, T.S.,1981,Canadian Woods Their Properties and Uses,University of Toronto Press 3rd Edition 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 Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press 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 U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 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. Western Wood Products Association. 19__. Softwoods of the Western USA. Published and Distributed by the Western Wood Products Association, Yeon Building, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85 Wood, A.D.,1963,Plywoods of the World: Their Development, Manufacture and,Application,Johnston & Bacon Ltd. Edinburgh & London