Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
Both species attain a height of 30m and a diameter of 0.75m or slightly more.
The Timber
The sapwood is narrow in the better grades, sometimes up to 50mm wide, lighter in colour than the heartwood which is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. Both species are typical of the hard-pine class, being resinous, with the growth-rings usually well-marked by the contrast between the light-coloured early-wood, and the dense, darker-coloured late-wood, which produces a rather coarse texture in the wood, especially in fairly rapidly grown material with its wide growth-rings. The timbers weigh about 670 kg/m³ on average when dried.
Drying
All these species dry well with little degrade.
Working Qualities
Medium – Works moderately easily, but the resin is often troublesome, tending to clog saw-teeth and cutters, and to adhere to machine tables. Saws with teeth of fairly long pitch reduce the effect of resin. A good finish is obtainable, and the wood can be glued satisfactorily, takes nails and screws well, and gives fair results with paint and other finishing treatments.
Strength
The general strength properties of P. palustris and P. elliottii compare closely with those of ‘Douglas fir”.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
670kg/m3
Texture
Medium
Chemical Properties
Denser material also known as longleaf pitch pine.
Use(s)
Joinery – Exterior, Joinery – Interior, Structural use, Decking
Colour(s)
Reddish-brown
Sample
