White Pine (likely Eastern White Pine)
Pinus strobus • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, and even-textured with a subtle flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible on the face; inconspicuous growth rings typical of the species.
Color Description
Heartwood is light brown or cream with a slightly reddish hue; sapwood is pale yellow to white. It darkens significantly to a deep amber or golden brown with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
380 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Low durability (Non-durable); susceptible to rot, decay, and insect attack if not treated or used indoors.
Common Uses
Interior millwork, cabinetry, light construction, crates, furniture (often painted), and carving.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, including Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 to $6.00 per board foot depending on grade and kiln drying.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to semi-recent (less than 1 year); shows bright, light coloration with minimal oxidation or graying and sharp, modern machine-milled edges.
Sustainability Status
Extensively available and generally considered sustainable; not listed on CITES or the IUCN Red List of threatened species; widely FSC certified.
Workability
Extremely easy to work with both hand and machine tools; cuts and planes smoothly, though its softness makes it prone to denting and crushing. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous scent when cut; very lightweight; low resin content compared to other pines which helps prevent bleed-through in finishes.
Finish Recommendations
Sanding sealer is recommended to prevent blotching; responds well to polyurethane, lacquer, and paint. Natural oils can be used but will darken the wood.
Identification Confidence
High; the pale color, subtle grain transition between earlywood and latewood, and the presence of OSB in the background (typical construction environment) strongly support White Pine.