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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
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
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
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
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Pinus strobus

Trade Name
Eastern white pine

Family Name
Pinaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
American yellow pine, Austrian white pine, Canadain white pine, Canadian yellow pine, Cork pine, Eastern white pine, Northern white pine, Ottawa pine, Ottawa white pine, Pattern pine, Pumpkin pine, Quebec pine, Quebec yellow pine, Sapling pine, Soft pine, Weymouth pine, Yellow pine

Regions of Distribution
Central America, North America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Canada, Mexico, United States

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Balusters, Beams, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Caskets, Casks, Chairs, Chests, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drawing boards, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture , Furniture, General carpentry, Interior trim, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Novelties, Paneling , Paneling, Sculpture, Shade rollers, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Toys, Woodenware

Environmental Profile
Widespread, abundant and globally secure
May be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery
Data source is Nature Conservancy


Distribution Overview
Eastern white pine (also called Weymouth pine in England where it is widely planted) occurs extensively in North America. Its growth range extends from Newfoundland and Quebec west to central Ontario and southeastern Manitoba, south to Minnesota, northeasrn Iowa, northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and south in the mountains to western North Carolina, northern Georgia, and Tennessee. It is also reported to occur locally in western Kentuck and western Tennessee. The tree prefers well-drained sandy soils, and is sometimes found in pure stands from near sea level to an altitude of about 2000 feet (615 m), and up to 5000 feet (1525 m) in the southern Appalachians.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Black
Purple
Reddish brown
Pale brown
White to cream
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Pale red to pink
Red
Resin ducts at times appear as thin brown lines
Darkens upon exposure
Cream colored to light brown or reddish brown, or pale yellow to pale brown
Brown

Differences between Eastern white and Western white pine are so slight that the two species cannot be distinguished without laboratory tests

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Same as heartwood
Nearly white to pale yelllowish white
Narrow to medium in width


Grain
Straight
Figure
Growth rings (figure)
Even
Mottled (figure)
Weak (figure)

Straight
Clear growth rings (figure)
Weak figure
Straight and even
Mottled figure


Texture
Fine
Fine
Medium
Medium coarse to coarse
Fine to medium
Even textured


Luster
Medium
High


Natural Growth Defects
Latex or other ducts


Natural Durability
Resistant to termites
Durable
Very durable
Resistant to marine borers
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non durable
Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles)
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Should be chemically treated before using in high decay hazard conditions
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Moderately resistant
Moderately durable
Moderate resistance to attack by decay organisms

Prolonged exposure to exterior atmospheric conditions is reported to weather the wood to a light gray color, with a moderate sheen.

Odor
Non-Descriptive resinous odor
No specific taste
Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct

Scent and resin canals are two features that can be used, with a reasonable degree of certainty, to differentiate between Eastern white pine and Sugar pine: the latter pine is reported to often have a sweeter scent and much larger resin canals

Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Toxicity
Some toxic effects


Kiln Schedules
Drying (speed) is fast
Dry at a moderate speed
UK=L US=T146C6S/T12C5S
Standard T11-C5(4/4);T10-C4(8/4) Schedule L (4/4) United Kingdom
Different drying schedule recommended to prevent brown stains


Drying Defects
Internal Honeycombing Possible
Collapse
Slight twist/warp
Sap stain is common
Prpoer stacking to allow adequate air-flow thru pile is essential during air-seasoning
No twisting or warping
Expect resin/gum exudation
Brown stains and ring failure during drying


Ease of Drying
Variable
Easy
Air dries slowly with low shrinkage
Air dries easily and uniformly


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is unknown


Tree Size
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 30-40 m


Comments
Abnormal wood tissue in the form of compression wood may be present

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Yields ingredient used in cough syrups for treatments of bronchial ailments

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Slight dulling effect on cutting tools


Boring
Easy
Responds well to boring
Clean bored surfaces


Carving
Responds well to carving operations


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Easy to cut in any direction


Gluing
Easy to glue
Good gluing properties


Mortising
Finishes well
Easy to mortise
Generally mortises well


Moulding
Good finishing results
Easy to mould
Good moulding properties


Movement in Service
Stable
Small
Retains shape very well after manufacture
Dimensionally stable


Nailing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Pre-Boring Recommended
Holds nails well
Easy to nail
Satisfactory resistance to decay above ground
Good nailing characteristics
Good nail holding properties


Planing
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Soft, very uniform in texture and is very easy to work
Planes easily and worked surfaces are clean and smooth


Resistance to Impregnation
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Permeable
Fairly good response to preservative treatment


Resistance to Splitting
Satisfactory
Good
Excellent


Response to Hand Tools
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Easy to machine
Yields clean surfaces
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Routing yields good results
Routing is easy
Generally good routing qualities


Sanding
Good sanding properties
Good sanding finish
Easy to sand


Screwing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Screwing yields good results
Easy to screw
Accept all types of fasteners, and will take fine gauge screws without pilot holes


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Easy to turn
Too weak for durable spindles
Does not turn as well as some harder woods

Like Sugar pine but to a lesser degree, Eastern white pine is reported to leave a very pleasing resinous aroma in the workshop.

Veneering Qualities
Suitable for slicing
Veneers easily
Veneers moderately easy
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
Unsuitable
Very poor steam bending characteristics


Painting
Good results
Good painting characteristics


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Polishes and finishes very well


Staining
Finish is generally good
Stains easily
Retains soft and mellow figure even under dark stains


Varnishing
Good results
Good varnishing properties
Fewer coats of varnish are needed since uneven swelling of grain is less common


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Max. crushing strength = low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Toughness (total work) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Work to Maximum Load
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Soft
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Moderate weight
Medium bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12% moisture content)
May dent easily
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Crushing strength = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Average density


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength52648980psi
Crushing Strength225500psi
Density25lbs/ft3
Hardness352lbs
Impact Strength1817inches
Maximum Crushing Strength23574588psi
Shearing Strength900psi
Static Bending29406566psi
Stiffness102512281000 psi
Toughness95inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load58inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.320.33
Weight2925lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage6%
Volumetric Shrinkage8%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength370631kg/cm2
Crushing Strength1535kg/cm2
Density400kg/m3
Hardness159kg
Impact Strength4543cm
Maximum Crushing Strength165322kg/cm2
Shearing Strength63kg/cm2
Static Bending206461kg/cm2
Stiffness72861000 kg/cm2
Toughness109cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.350.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.320.33
Weight464400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage6%

References
Arno, J. 1991. Pinus strobus - Eastern white pine. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 274-275.

Betts, H.S.,1954,American Woods - Eastern White Pine,USDA, Forest Service American Woods

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.

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

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

Grewal, G.S.,1979,Air seasoning properties of some Malaysian timbers,Malaysia Forestry Department, Forest Service, Trade Leaflet No.41

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

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, J. Wood of the Month: Eastern white pine - A Noble Species. Wood & Wood Products, January, 1992. Page 46.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.

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)

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Lindquist, J.L.,1974,American Woods - Redwood,USDA, Forest Service American woods FS262

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.

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

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

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

T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA

Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory

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.

Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85