Heart Pine (likely Longleaf Pine)
Pinus palustris • Softwood (often sourced as Reclaimed)
Grain Pattern
Straight but prominent, characterized by very tight, dense growth rings and high latewood percentage. This sample shows a flat-sawn face with some cathedral-like patterns and significant resin streaking.
Color Description
Reddish-orange to golden brown heartwood with darker, resinous grain lines. Sapwood is yellowish-white but largely absent in many heart-pine samples. Patina deepens to a rich amber-red over time with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,225 lbf (Hard for a softwood)
Durability Rating
Durable; high resin content provides excellent natural resistance to rot, decay, and insects compared to other pines.
Common Uses
Flooring, structural beams, cabinetry, furniture, and historical restoration projects.
Geographic Origin
Southeastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot for reclaimed old-growth/heart-grade material.
Wood Age Estimate
50-100+ years. The tight grain indicates old-growth timber, and the surface wear/finish cracking suggest it has been installed as flooring for several decades.
Sustainability Status
Available primarily as reclaimed wood from old industrial buildings; new-growth is FSC certified but lacks the density shown here.
Workability
Generally easy to work, though high resin content can gum up sandpaper and saw blades. Hand planing requires sharpness to avoid tearing the dense latewood bands.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous (turpentine) scent when cut. Very high strength-to-weight ratio for a softwood. Significant contrast between earlywood and latewood.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based polyurethanes or tung oils enhance the natural amber depth. Water-based finishes may look cold/blue on this species unless a sealer is used first.
Identification Confidence
High; the tight growth rings, very dark resinous latewood bands, and the specific reddish-orange oxidation are classic markers of historical Heart Pine.