Western white pine

Photo and data from Forest World

Common Names

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Western white pine

Pine

Idaho white pine

Mountain pine

White pine

Silver pine

Common Uses

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Exterior trim & siding

Interior trim

Partitions

Siding

Sub-flooring

Domestic flooring

Flooring

Interior construction

Millwork

Moldings

Rafters

Trimming

Wainscotting

Species Distribution

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REGIONS:

North America

COUNTRIES:

Canada

United States

Physical and Environmental Profile

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Environmental Profile

Although the species may be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery,
it is reported to be rather widespread, abundant and globally secure
(Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endagerment based primarily
on the number of occurrences of the species globally).

Distribution

This species is reported to occur in Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington.
It is reported to grow primarily in western Montana and northern Idaho.
Western white pine is sometimes referred to as
'Idaho White pine' because it is reported to attain its best development in Idaho.
The tree is often found in mixed forests, occasionally in nearly pure stands,
in moist mountain soils, and grows
from sea level to an elevation of up to 3500 feet (1067 m) in the northern parts of its range,
and to 6000 to 9800 feet (1829 to 2987 m) in the south.

Product Sources

It is currently unknown whether some material from this species
is available from sustainably managed, salvaged,
recycled, or other environmentally responsible sources.

Tree Data

Western white pine is reported to mature into a large to very large tree with a straight trunk.
It attains a height of about 100 feet (30 m) with a trunk diameter of about 36 inches (90 m).

Sapwood Color

The sapwood is nearly white to pale yellowish white, and is narrow to medium in width.

Heartwood Color

Heartwood is pale yellow to reddish brown or cream to light brown and darkens upon exposure.
The wood is reported to be similar to Eastern white pine in appearance.
Numerous knots, which are darker in color,
are reported to make the timber a very popular choice for panelling.
The wood is also characterized by fine resin ducts.

Grain

Grain is usually straight and even.

Texture

Texture is typically medium to coarse.

Drying Defects

Wetwood may cause chemical brown stains.

Movement in Service

Seasoned wood is reported to be stable, and exhibits only small
dimensional changes in response to fluctuations in atmospheric conditions.

Natural Durability

Heartwood is reported to have some natural resistance to attack by decay fungi,
but it requires to be chemically protected before application
under conditions that promote decay.

Resin Content

The wood is resinous.

Blunting Effect

Blunting effect on cutting edges is reported to be small.

Cutting Resistance

The material is reported to be easy to saw, especially if cutting edges are kept very sharp.

Planing

Western White pine is reported to have very good planing properties,
and works to yield very clean and smooth surfaces.

Turning

The material is reported to turn very well.

Moulding

Moulding qualities are rated as very good.

Boring

The timber is reported to respond very well to boring.

Mortising

Mortising characteristics are rated as excellent.

Nailing

Resistance to splitting in nailing operations is reported to be excellent,
and nail holding properties are good.

Screwing

Screwing properties are rated as excellent, and screw-holding qualities are good.

Gluing

Western White pine has excellent gluing qualities.

Sanding

Sanding characteristics are reported to be good.

Polishing

The material is reported to polish well.

Staining

The wood takes stains rather well.

Varnishing

The material is reported to varnish well.

Painting

The wood is reported to take paint well.

Steam Bending

The timber is reported to be unsuitable for steam bending.

Response to Hand Tools

The timber is reported to respond well to hand tools.
It requires very sharp cutting edges,
but it works to produce a very clean surface.

Strength Properties

Bending strength in the air-dry condition is medium.
It is weak in compression parallel to grain (maximum crushing strength).
The wood is soft, and surfaces may dent easily. Weight is medium.

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Reference Sources

Numerical Data Source

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material,
Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72,
Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Descriptive Data Source

Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. 1980.
Textbook of Wood Technology, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources.
McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Canadian Forestry Service. 1981.
Canadian Woods - Their Properties and Uses. Third Edition. E.J. Mullins and T.S. McKnight, Editors.
Published by University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada.

Mirov, N.T. 1967. The Genus PINUS.
The Ronald Press Company, New York. LCC Card No. 67-14783.

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991.
Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood.
Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988.
Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical.
United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory,
General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Madison, Wisconsin.

Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region.
Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

Western Wood Products Association. 19__.
Softwoods of the Western USA.
Published and Distributed by the Western Wood Products Association,
Yeon Building, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon.

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy.
Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.