Southern Yellow Pine (likely Longleaf or Loblolly)
Pinus palustris / Pinus taeda · Softwood
- Type
- Softwood
- Origin
- Southeastern United States
- Hardness
- 690 lbf (Soft to Medium, though old-growth dense vertical grain behaves harder in flooring applications)
- Durability
- Moderately durable; good resistance to wear when sealed, but moderate decay resistance if exposed to moisture without treatment.
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Grain Pattern
Strictly vertical grain (edge-grained) to mixed-grain pattern showing distinct, dense growth rings with pronounced contrast between earlywood and latewood.
Color & Appearance
Warm golden amber to reddish-brown heartwood with lighter yellowish sapwood, exhibiting a rich patina and high luster resulting from decades of oxidation and light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
690 lbf (Soft to Medium, though old-growth dense vertical grain behaves harder in flooring applications)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately durable; good resistance to wear when sealed, but moderate decay resistance if exposed to moisture without treatment.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 6 to 15 USD per board foot for reclaimed vintage stock
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 80 to 120+ years old, typical of turn-of-the-century historical heart pine flooring showing significant patina, wear, and oxidized finish.
- Sustainability Status
- Old-growth structural lumber is reclaimed and sustainable; second-growth plantation pine is abundantly available and not CITES listed.
Common Uses
Flooring, heavy construction, structural framing, porch decking, and historical millwork.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern United States
Workability
Easy to cut and shape, but the strong contrast between soft earlywood and hard latewood can sometimes cause uneven sanding or planing if not done carefully.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, penetrating oil finishes, or traditional varnish. Requires careful cleaning and light sanding to preserve historical patina.
Notable Features
High resin content, distinct pine scent when sanded, excellent dimensional stability due to the tight vertical grain, and high density characteristic of old-growth pine.
