Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine
Pinus palustris (Longleaf), Pinus echinata (Shortleaf), Pinus taeda (Loblolly), Pinus elliottii (Slash) • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible despite heavy weathering; prominent latewood bands create a high-contrast texture.
Color Description
Currently weathered to a silvery-gray with moss/lichen growth; original color would have been yellowish-white to reddish-brown, likely with a greenish tint from copper-based preservatives.
Hardness Rating
690 lbf - Soft
Durability Rating
Durable (due to treatment); chemical pressure-treatment makes it resistant to rot, decay, and termites even in ground contact.
Common Uses
Outdoor decking, fencing, landscape timbers, docks, and general exterior construction framing.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$1.50 - $2.50 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
5 to 10 years of outdoor exposure based on the deep gray oxidation, wood fiber erosion, and microbial/moss growth on the surface.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; Southern Yellow Pine is abundant, fast-growing, and frequently sourced from FSC or SFI certified plantations.
Workability
Easy to work with tools, though the treatment chemicals can be abrasive to blades; requires corrosion-resistant fasteners (as seen with the square-drive deck screw).
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous scent when cut; treated wood is toxic if burned; high resin content can cause pitch buildup on saw blades.
Finish Recommendations
Requires a thorough cleaning/brightening followed by a high-solids penetrating oil stain or a film-forming deck sealer once the wood is dry.
Identification Confidence
High; the grain structure, growth ring thickness, and application context (fastened with a deck screw in an outdoor environment) are hallmark signs of pressure-treated Pine.