Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight and even with a medium to fine texture; shows flat-sawn cathedral patterns and characteristic small dark knots typical of furniture-grade pine.
Color Description
Natural heartwood is light brown with a reddish hue; sapwood is pale yellow to white. This sample exhibits a dark amber/honey-oak stained finish that has deepened with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
380 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Low durability; heartwood is rated as non-durable to slightly durable regarding decay resistance; susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Utility lumber, furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, crates, and boat building (masts/staves).
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 to $7.00 per board foot (standard grade)
Wood Age Estimate
30 to 50 years; the furniture style (Colonial Revival/Traditional) and the oxidation of the finish suggest late 20th-century manufacture.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and harvested sustainably; FSC certified sources are common.
Workability
Excellent; one of the easiest woods to work with hand and machine tools. It glues and finishes well, though it can be prone to 'pitch bleed' and requires a sealer due to its porosity.
Notable Features
Faint, resinous odor when worked; very lightweight; prone to denting and scratching due to low density; high resin content can clog sandpaper.
Finish Recommendations
Film-forming finishes like polyurethane or lacquer are best to protect the soft surface; requires a pre-stain wood conditioner to prevent blotchiness.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the knot structure, grain wide-spacing, and the specific 'Early American' furniture style are classic indicators of stained North American White Pine.