AMERICAN SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE: A
A much under utilised softwood, available in long clear specifications.

Production: S/E, S/E PTW, DIM.

Family: Pinacea

Made up of four botanical species:
Shortleaf Pine - Pinus echinata
Longleaf Pine - Pinus palustris
Loblolly Pine - Pinus taeda
Slash Pine - Pinus elliotti

Commercial names: Carolina Pine. Must not be confused with Quebec Yellow/White Pine (Pinus strobus) which originates from Eastern Canada and North Eastern USA.

Distribution: The species grows on an area of 78 million hectares of forest-land in Southern USA; Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

General description: The heartwood is orange to reddish-brown in colour and may be resinous. The growth rings are clearly marked by the contrast between the earlywood and darker, more dense latewood giving a coarse texture, especially in rapidly grown timber. Southern Yellow Pine sheds its branches as it grows with the crown generally consisting of the upper one-third of the tree. As a result, knots are intergrown and sound with few holes or dead knots in the timber. Since, with increasing frequency the trees are grown and harvested on short rotation, saw-logs are comparatively small with sapwood predominating. The weight varies between 537 and 626 kg/m3 (34 - 39lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.54 to 0.63.

Mechanical properties: It is one of the strongest structural timbers in the world. Unsuitable for steam bending.

Seasoning: Dries well with little degrade, and small movement in service.

Working properties: The timber has a moderate resistance to cutting edges with machine and hand tools and finishes cleanly. It can be hard to nail but holds nails and screws firmly and can be glued without difficulty.

Durability: It is a preferred wood for pressure treatment because of the depth and uniformity of penetration achieved with chemical preservatives which assure immunity to insect attack and the elements. The timber is moderately durable.

Uses: Used extensively both domestically in the USA for house building and when treated used externally for fencing, patios and boardwalks. Used for general joinery, particularly staircase strings. Although it paints well it is far more attractive when left in a natural finish.

JBT Comments: We feel this is a very under utilised timber. It is readily available in kiln dried, long, wide and clear cutting lengths. Most of all it is very cheap when compared to clear grade Scandinavian and Canadian Softwoods.

Grade and Specification: Different grading rules are used for American Softwoods to American Hardwoods. In general a Softwood board is graded as a whole piece, whereas a Hardwood board is graded on its useable content.

SAPS GRADE
Square edge: 1in, 11/4ins and 11/2ins Sizes (Rough) 7/8 ins x 3ins and wider through 3ins x 3ins and wider. Moisture content 19% or less. (We try to purchase our timber under 15% moisture content). Lengths: 10ft and up: 5% 8ft and 9ft allowed. If lineal average required it must be specified.

JBT Comments: It is worth noting that our 1in, 11/4ins and 11/2ins stock is “Saps” grade. Whereas some of the stock in these thicknesses at present being imported into the UK are in the lower “Prime and Better” grade and will include more defects. It is important to check this when purchasing and comparing prices.

PRIME AND BETTER GRADE
Square Edge: 2ins, 21/2ins, 3ins and 4ins Waney Edge Billets: 2ins Sizes (Rough): 2ins x 4ins and wider through 4ins x 4ins and wider. Moisture Content: 19% or less. (We try to purchase our timber under 15% moisture content). Lengths: 8ft and longer. If lineal average required, it must be specified.

Stockholding: 2,000 cubic feet in kiln dried stock: Saps: 1in x 8ins, 12ins. Saps: 11/4ins x 10ins. Saps: 11/2ins x 10ins, 12ins. Prime & Better: 2ins x 8ins, 12ins. Prime & Better: 21/2ins x 6ins, and wider. Prime & Better: 3ins x 6ins, and wider. Prime & Better: 4ins x 6ins, and wider. Also available to order 4/6 weeks Prime and Better 1in and 2ins waney edge flitches and 4ins x 4ins squares.