Southern Yellow Pine (likely Loblolly or Shortleaf Pine)
Pinus taeda / Pinus echinata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Strong, prominent flat-sawn cathedral grain with distinct contrast between earlywood and latewood bands; generally straight but coarse textured.
Color Description
Light yellow to yellowish-brown heartwood with pale white to yellow sapwood. Earlywood is light-colored, while latewood is much darker reddish-brown. Darkens to a deep golden yellow with age.
Hardness Rating
690 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; susceptible to rot and insect attack if not pressure-treated for outdoor use.
Common Uses
Construction framing, stairs, flooring, plywood, utility poles, and heavy timbers.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$2.00 - $4.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
20-40 years based on oxidation and wear visible on the stair tread surface.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; abundant supply, not listed in CITES or IUCN Red List, widely FSC certified.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though resin can gum up blades and sandpaper. Sharp cutters are needed to avoid tearing of the soft earlywood.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous scent when cut; high resin content; pronounced 'cathedral' figure when flat-sawn.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or floor varnish is recommended for high-traffic stairs. A sanding sealer is often helpful to ensure even stain absorption given the density difference between grain bands.
Identification Confidence
High; the wide, dark latewood bands and distinct yellow-brown color are classic indicators of Southern Yellow Pine used in structural applications.
Notes
Stair board