Radiata Pine
Pinus radiata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight to slightly irregular with prominent cathedral patterns in flat-sawn boards; features large, distinct growth rings and occasional small knots or blue-stain streaks.
Color Description
Heartwood is light brown to yellowish; sapwood is pale yellow to nearly white. Displays a low to medium luster and typically darkens to a progressive golden yellow or light tan over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
710 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; susceptible to rot, decay, and insect attack. Requires treatment for outdoor or ground-contact use.
Common Uses
Construction lumber, pallets, crates, plywood, medium-end furniture, interior millwork, shelving, and paper pulp.
Geographic Origin
Native to a small area of coastal California; widely grown in massive plantations in New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and South Africa.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$1.50 - $3.00 per board foot for common grades.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern commodity lumber, likely harvested from a fast-growing plantation tree between 20-30 years of age; the sample shows recent milling marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available with FSC certification due to extensive plantation farming.
Workability
Very easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Glues and finishes well, though the transition between earlywood and latewood can occasionally cause uneven staining without a sealer.
Notable Features
Faint resinous odor; prone to 'blue stain' fungus (visible in photo) which affects aesthetics but not structural integrity; contains natural resins that can gum up sandpaper.
Finish Recommendations
Clear polyurethane, lacquer, or shellac. A pre-stain wood conditioner is highly recommended to prevent blotching if using pigment-based stains.
Identification Confidence
High; identifying features include the characteristic wide growth rings of plantation softwood, the pale yellowish hue, specific 'blue-stain' fungal streaks, and common knot structure.