Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine
Pinus spp. (likely P. palustris, P. echinata, P. taeda, or P. elliottii) • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight but coarse; features wide, distinct growth rings with a sharp transition between earlywood and latewood. Deep checking is present on the end-grain.
Color Description
Natural heartwood is reddish-brown with yellowish sapwood, but as pictured, it shows an olive-green tint due to chemical treatment (CCA or ACQ) and has weathered to a silvery-gray/faint brown.
Hardness Rating
690 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft for a softwood)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable to Durable (when treated). Untreated it is non-durable, but chemical treatment provides high resistance to rot, fungal decay, and termites.
Common Uses
Outdoor construction, deck posts, fencing, retaining walls, utility poles, and marine applications.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern United States (Southern Atlantic and Gulf Coastal states)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$1.50 - $2.50 per board foot (standard dimensional lumber pricing)
Wood Age Estimate
The post appears to be 5-10 years old based on the depth of the checks (surface cracks) and the degree of UV graying/oxidation.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; widely available, fast-growing, and frequently FSC or PEFC certified from managed plantations.
Workability
Easy to cut and nail, though the high resin content can gum up saw blades. The chemical treatment requires stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners to prevent corrosion.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous odor when cut; chemically treated for ground contact; prone to checking and splitting as it seasons outdoors; high density for a softwood.
Finish Recommendations
Solid or semi-transparent exterior wood stain with UV inhibitors. Must be fully dry (less than 15% moisture) before applying paint or film-forming finishes.
Identification Confidence
High; end-grain growth ring structure, color of the preservative treatment, and application as an outdoor structural post are classic indicators of Southern Yellow Pine.