Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a softwood, also known as western yellow
pine, California white pine, Oregon pine, bird's eye pine, knotty pine, prickly
pine, blackjack pine, and pitch pine. It grows mainly in western United States and southern British
Columbia. Most widely distributed of pines in North America. It’s
appearance is straight grained,
sometimes with a bird's eye pattern, and with a medium coarse texture, This is
the character of the wood. Typically has prominent dark resin duct lines and
numerous small but sound knots. Light reddish brown heartwood and wide, nearly
white to pale yellow sapwood. Light and
soft with low strength and shock resistance, moderately low stiffness, low
decay resistance, poor steam bending, and good stability in service. Works good with machine or hand tools
although resin can gum-up cutters. Planes, turns, moulds, routs, bores, and
mortises very well. Glues, nails and screws easily with a low tendency to
split. Paints and finishes fairly well although a sealer coat may be needed to
handle resin bleed-out, especially near knots. Pine is used to make boxes,
crates, millwork, building construction, turnery (balusters, porch columns,
dowels), caskets, patterns, trunks, toys, poles, posts, paneling, plywood and furniture.
