Southern Yellow Pine (likely Longleaf or Loblolly)
Pinus palustris / Pinus taeda • Softwood (conifer) - Rotary peeled veneer / Plywood face
Grain Pattern
Flat-sawn cathedral patterns with prominent, wide growth rings; rotary peeling creates large, sweeping irregular loops and patterns.
Color Description
Heartwood is reddish-brown to orange-yellow; sapwood is yellowish-white. Shows high contrast between light earlywood and dark, dense latewood. Darkens significantly with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
690-870 lbf (Soft to Medium classification)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable regarding rot; non-resistant to insect attack. Heartwood has some natural resin-based resistance.
Common Uses
Construction sheathing, subflooring, structural plywood, utility cabinetry, crates, and heavy-duty framing.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$1.50 - $3.00 per board foot equivalent (typically sold by 4x8 sheet, approx. $40-$70 per sheet depending on grade).
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively recent/modern (less than 20 years) based on standard plywood thickness and lack of deep oxidation or historic tool marks.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; Least Concern (IUCN). Widely plantation-grown and commercially available as FSC certified.
Workability
Easy to work with machine tools but difficult to hand plane due to the density difference between earlywood and latewood. High resin content can gum up blades/sandpaper.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous scent when cut; high pitch/sap content; very high strength-to-weight ratio for a softwood.
Finish Recommendations
Requires a sanding sealer or wood conditioner due to uneven absorption ('blotching'). Film-forming finishes like polyurethane or lacquer work well.
Identification Confidence
High. The wide latewood bands, sharp color contrast, and specific 'cathedral' figure from rotary peeling are definitive traits of Southern Yellow Pine construction-grade plywood.