Southern Yellow Pine
Pinus spp. (likely Pinus palustris or Pinus echinata) • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse, and uneven grain with distinct growth rings showing a sharp contrast between earlywood and latewood. Flat-sawn orientation is visible with substantial checking (cracks) and weathering.
Color Description
Originally yellowish-white to reddish-brown; currently weathered to a silvery-grey patina with brownish-tan undertones where protected from the elements. Low luster due to oxidation and surface degradation.
Hardness Rating
690 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable to Non-durable; this specific sample shows signs of chemical treatment (pressure-treated) for rot and insect resistance, evidenced by the greenish-grey tint in protected areas.
Common Uses
Outdoor construction, decking, fencing, framing, utility poles, and heavy structural timbers.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$1.00 - $2.50 per board foot (standard dimensional lumber prices)
Wood Age Estimate
The wood is likely 10-20 years old based on the depth of the checks (surface cracks), significant grey oxidation (patina), and rounded edges from wear.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; widely grown on plantations, not CITES listed, and listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though the high resin content can gum up blades. As it is likely pressure-treated, it requires masks and safety gear to handle toxic dust.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous scent when cut; high contrast between hard latewood and soft earlywood rings; likely contains copper-based preservatives (ACQ or copper azole).
Finish Recommendations
Solid or semi-transparent oil-based exterior stains are recommended to penetrate the weathered surface. Requires heavy cleaning or sanding before any new finish can be applied.
Identification Confidence
High; the wide, dark latewood bands, heavy checking, and the characteristic greenish-grey hue of pressure-treated lumber are diagnostic for Southern Yellow Pine used in outdoor fencing.