WHITE PINE, NORTHEASTERN also Eastern White Pine, Soft Pine
Distribution
Eastern white pine is native to North America from Newfoundland, the Anticosti Islands and the Gaspe’ Peninsula of Quebec, west to central and western Ontario and extreme southeast Manitoba, south to southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa, east to northern Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and south to northern Georgia and northwest South Carolina. It is also locally distributed in western Kentucky, western Tennessee and Delaware.
The Tree
Eastern white pine grows to heights of 100 feet with a diameter of 3 to 6 feet. Historically, it has grown to heights of 200 feet with diameters of 6 feet. Current national champions are taller than 140 feet. Most of the large trees had been logged prior to the late 1800’s.
The Wood
General: The heartwood of Eastern white pine is a light brown, sometimes with a reddish tinge, turning darker on exposure. The sapwood is white, tinged with yellow. It has a uniform texture, is easily worked with tools, shrinks little, easily kiln dried, is straight grained and has a high ability to stay in place. It has medium strength values, is easily worked and takes stains, glue and finishes well. It also has good nail-holding ability. It is light weight, moderately soft, moderately weak, not stiff, and low in shock resistance.
Working Properties: It is easily worked with tools, is straight grained and has a high ability to stay in place. It takes stains, glue and finishes well. It also has good nail-holding ability.
Durability: Eastern white pine is rated as moderately resistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: The heartwood is rated as moderately resistant to preservative treatment, while the sapwood is permeable.
Uses: The bark is used to produce white pine tar, an antiseptic and expectorant. The wood is used for furniture, patterns, matches, boxes, sashes, doors, trim, caskets and toys. The tree is a popular Christmas tree.
Eastern white pine is native to North America from Newfoundland, the Anticosti Islands and the Gaspe’ Peninsula of Quebec, west to central and western Ontario and extreme southeast Manitoba, south to southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa, east to northern Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and south to northern Georgia and northwest South Carolina. It is also locally distributed in western Kentucky, western Tennessee and Delaware.
The Tree
Eastern white pine grows to heights of 100 feet with a diameter of 3 to 6 feet. Historically, it has grown to heights of 200 feet with diameters of 6 feet. Current national champions are taller than 140 feet. Most of the large trees had been logged prior to the late 1800’s.
The Wood
General: The heartwood of Eastern white pine is a light brown, sometimes with a reddish tinge, turning darker on exposure. The sapwood is white, tinged with yellow. It has a uniform texture, is easily worked with tools, shrinks little, easily kiln dried, is straight grained and has a high ability to stay in place. It has medium strength values, is easily worked and takes stains, glue and finishes well. It also has good nail-holding ability. It is light weight, moderately soft, moderately weak, not stiff, and low in shock resistance.
Working Properties: It is easily worked with tools, is straight grained and has a high ability to stay in place. It takes stains, glue and finishes well. It also has good nail-holding ability.
Durability: Eastern white pine is rated as moderately resistant to heartwood decay.
Preservation: The heartwood is rated as moderately resistant to preservative treatment, while the sapwood is permeable.
Uses: The bark is used to produce white pine tar, an antiseptic and expectorant. The wood is used for furniture, patterns, matches, boxes, sashes, doors, trim, caskets and toys. The tree is a popular Christmas tree.