White Pine
Pinus strobus • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, flat-sawn displaying clear cathedral figure with even and fine texture; small tight knots visible.
Color Description
Heartwood is light brown with a reddish-tinged hue; sapwood is pale yellow to nearly white. Ages to a deep golden yellow or tea-color over time.
Hardness Rating
380 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; low resistance to rot and decay when exposed to elements; susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Light construction, furniture, interior millwork, crates, carving, boat building (masts), and pattern making.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$2.00 - $5.00 per board foot depending on grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh rough-sawn lumber, likely less than 2 years old based on lack of significant oxidation and fresh mill marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and considered highly sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues and finishes well. Very easy to plane but can be prone to indentations due to softness.
Notable Features
Faint resinous odor when being worked; light weight; high dimensional stability; low resin content compared to other pines.
Finish Recommendations
Takes most finishes well. A sealer or pre-stain is recommended to prevent blotching before staining.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the light color, the specific shape of the cathedral grain in the growth rings, and the rough-cut mill texture is characteristic of Eastern White Pine.