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Ponderosa PinePinus ponderosa

IntroductionWestern White pines often have aspecial place in the hearts of thosewho love wood. The combination oftheir resinous odour and light colouroften reminds us of farmhouses, time-worn furniture and mountain cabinsor ski resorts. However, these com-mercially important pines are thedominant choice for wood windows,a multitude of wood moulding andmillwork items, and endless volumesof furniture, shelving and panellingthroughout the world. Pine boards areavailable in many grades, from virtu-ally clear to utility levels of quality.

While Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa), Sugar Pine (Pinus lam-bertiana) and Idaho White Pine (Pinusmonticola) are valued primarily fortheir appearance and workability, thefourth pine in this group, Lodgepole(Pinus contorta), is valued also for its strength. It is the archetypal poleof the American West and the “pine”species in the SPFS (Spruce-Pine-Fir,South) species combination fordimension timber.

In U.S. timber species, the West-ern White pines are distinctly differ-ent from the Southern Yellow pines.Southern pines more coarsely grained,denser, all widely used for structuralapplications, and generally harvestedin short rotations for use in dimensiontimber sizes.

Western pines are prized for thebeauty of the wood. These pines aremanaged in natural stands, on longrotations, and generally selectivelyharvested. The large trees yield sub-stantial volumes of creamy white tostraw-yellow sapwood, with relatively

Western White Pines

Ponderosa Sugar Lodgepole Idaho White

Height Range 38 - 60m 48 - 76m 14 -26 m 45 - 54 m

Diameter Range 0.9 -2.4 m 1.2 - 3.5 m 0.3- 0.5 m 0.6 – 1.2 m

Specific Gravity 1 0.40 0.33 0.41 0.36

Mean Weight 2 458 kg 408 kg 474 kg 440kg

1 Specific gravity at 12 % moisture content. Range for softwoods is 0.31 - 0.55. 2 Mean weight per cubic metre at 12 % moisture content. Softwood range is

376 - 670 kg; 425 kg is average for White pines.

few, widely spaced knots, and a minimal amount of heartwood whichis generally a light, reddish-brown.Wood is soft-textured with a typicallystraight, close and uniform grain thatis delicately figured after dressing.Among these pines, Ponderosa leadsin volume and availability.

ForestryPonderosa Pine thrives from Canadato Mexico and from the Pacific Coasteastward to the Black Hills of SouthDakota, an area that stretches overmore than 35 percent of the area ofthe United States. The typical site forthis abundant species is on semi-aridplateaus and slopes, often surroundedby juniper and sage, with its rate ofgrowth dependent on altitude, soil,temperature and rainfall.

Mature Ponderosa Pines are easilyidentified by their distinctive orange-brown bark, arranged in large plates.Trees average 30 to 49 metres inheight, with some exceeding 60metres; diameter ranges from .6 to2.4 metres. The dark, yellow-greenneedles are 127 mm to 254 mm longand grow in clusters of three. Thecones, similar in colour to the bark,are 76 – 152 mm long and 51 – 102mm in diameter. Seeds are 9 – 9.5mm long with a 19 – 25 mm wing.

Most trees grow, mature and sur-vive for about 125 years before theyare lost to natural causes such as rot,insect damage, fires or wind throw.Occasionally, a lone specimen willsurvive for nearly 200 years. Pon-derosa for timber production areselectively harvested to remove themost mature trees, leaving youngerones to thrive and re-seed.

Above: Ponderosa Pines grow to more than 50 metresin height and from .9 – 2.4metres in diameter. Standscover approximately 11 million hectares of land in the United States. Thelarge plates of orange-brownbark distinguish maturePonderosa from other pines;needles grow in clusters of three.

Left: Ceiling panelling is acombination of Sugar andPonderosa Pines, windowstrimmed in Ponderosa, thecolumns are Douglas Fir.Selected boards reveal SugarPine’s high degree of contrastbetween the heartwood andsapwood colours. Ponderosapine has uniform grain withlittle colour variation.

© 2001 WESTERN WOODPRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

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ProductionOregon, California, and Washingtonaccount for the major share of annualharvesting; however, Idaho, Montana,and South Dakota are also importantareas with lesser amounts comingfrom Wyoming, Arizona, and NewMexico.

The annual production ofPonderosa Pine, 4.51 million cubicmetres in 1999, ranks third in volumeafter Douglas Fir and Hem-Fir, but the second in total value. Oregon isthe nation’s leading supplier of Pon-derosa Pine, producing 1.27 millioncubic metres in 1999. California issecond with slightly more than 920thousand cubic metres. The volumeof Western White pines exported in1999 was 415 thousand cubicmetres.

ManufacturingSeasoningAll Ponderosa Pine is dried beforesurfacing to assure uniformity of thefinished size. It is seasoned in tem-perature and humidity-controlled drykilns or stacked and air-dried until themoisture content reaches the desiredlevel – from 12 percent to 19 percent.

As with other pines, Ponderosacan be subject to blue stain if a felledtree or green lumber becomes toowarm before it is dried. Blue staindoes not affect strength and is admis-sible in some of the lower grades. Itcan be hidden with paint or enhancedwith clear finishes depending uponuser preference.

ShippingPonderosa Pine is usually milled and shipped as a single species andcan be specified and bought as such.However, it is sometimes mixed withother species of similar design char-acteristics, such as Ponderosa Pine –Sugar Pine, or Ponderosa Pine –Lodgepole Pine. It is also marketedunder the name “White Woods,”which can include a mix of Engel-mann Spruce, true firs (Abies species),Hemlock and any of the Westernpines.

Grading & Quality ControlGrading Timber grading rules assure consis-tent standards of quality, regardless of which mill produces the timber. In the 12 Western states, the primarygrowth area for Ponderosa Pine, the

largest percentage of pine productionis graded under the supervision ofCertified Inspectors from the WesternWood Products Association (WWPA),a grading and quality control agencyaccredited by the American LumberStandard Committee, Inc., under theU.S. Department of Commerce. Themost widely produced grades areSELECTS, COMMONS and Factory & Shop products intended for reman-ufacturing. Special grades are avail-able through buyer/seller agreements.

Appearance GradesPonderosa Pine products are gradedprimarily on appearance for a multi-tude of applications. Under theWWPA Western Lumber GradingRules, there are three grades ofSELECTS (for clear and nearly clearproducts) and five grades of COM-MONS (for general-purpose productswhere a variety of knots and othercharacteristics are allowed). ManyWWPA Member mills also produceproducts according rules publishedby the West Coast Lumber InspectionBureau (WCLIB). These StandardGrading Rules provide for five gradesunder the BOARD rules, each withspecific limitations on the number,size and type of knots as well asother characteristics.

Structural GradesPonderosa Pine structural grades areused where light to moderate strengthlevels are required. The 2X4 and 2X6sizes are especially popular as a deck-ing material, once the timber has beenpressure treated with preservatives foroutdoor in-ground or above-groundapplications.

Factory & Shop GradesFactory & Shop grade timber prod-ucts are intended specifically forremanufacturing into furniture, doors,windows and shutters. Such wood isselected to be almost completely freefrom pitch and resin pockets, has aneven grain, and is dimensionally stable. The grades have evolved onthe basis of millwork cutting sizesand are defined in the grading rulesby the number of clear, standard-sizecuttings that can be obtained by rip-ping and cross cutting the variousproducts. These grades are oftenreferred to the “economical clears” of the timber industry. They are usedthroughout the world for an endlessarray of products that require varioussized pieces of clear wood.

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Painted Ponderosa wainscotpanelling and casement windows in contemporarybathroom and treatedPonderosa Pine decking.

Ponderosa flooring, panellingand trim add warmth to spacious home office.

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COURTESY OF MARVIN MANUFACTURING CO.

Living room: Ponderosa Pine doors, windows, moulding, panelling, soffits and fascia with clear finish to enhance natural colour and characteristics.

Bay window: Wood window manufacturersprefer Ponderosa Pine for it’s workability,appearance and performance. Windows are typically manufactured from Factory& Shop grades.

Kitchen: Ponderosa cabinets and flooring;Lodgepole Pine columns.

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Kitchen: Whitened PonderosaPine kitchen cabinets contrastwell with granite, ceramictiles, or stainless steel. Thespecies resists scuffing andsplitting and performs wellunder movement for cabinets,drawers, doors, and windows.

Stairwell: Ponderosa stair railings with fascia on postsand beams.

Attic: Beaded-ceiling pan-elling, casework, shutters,window and trim. A lightstain, with ultra-violet block-ers, helps prevent Ponderosafrom darkening over time.

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Characteristics and Best UsesWhen freshly sawn or surfaced, Pon-derosa Pine’s pleasant smell is remi-niscent of the forests where it grows.The large trees have a minimal amountof reddish-brown heartwood and anexceptionally wide sapwood which ishoney-toned or straw-like in colour.This yields products suitable for anyapplication that requires a light tomoderately strong, splinter-free woodwith a minimum of knots, resin orother unwanted characteristics.

The timber is prized for mould-ings and doors, windows, frames and drawers where durability undermovement is essential. Its ability to withstand scuffs, shocks and jarswithout splintering makes Ponderosaa premier wood for sashes, jambs,shutters, screens, columns, stairworkand fascia. Ponderosa ranks in thetop 25 percent for ease of gluing andis used for all types of glued-up construction.

Dimensional StabilityAll woods shrink and swell to somedegree as their moisture content fluctuates with atmospheric condi-tions. However, Ponderosa Pine has a uniform cell structure and shrinksonly a moderate amount in compari-son to other softwood species. It sea-sons beautifully with minimal split-ting, cupping or warping and seldomdevelops raised grain. When sur-faced, its straight, uniform grainmachines to exceptional smoothness.It is valuable for work that requiresclose-fitting joints because it isextremely workable and relativelyunaffected by changes in humidityafter seasoning.

Residential ConstructionAppropriate applications for Pon-derosa Pine include light framing,spaced sheathing, floor and roofdecking. It is easily pressure treatedwith preservatives and superb fordecks and other outdoor projects.Although it is not as strong as someof the denser softwoods, Ponderosa’scombination of dimensional stability,strength and workability is welladapted to most light-framing appli-cations including joists, studs, rafters,plates and soffits. The wood resistssplitting when nailed, which allowsfor the use of larger nails and increases nail retention.

Traditional outlets, such as retaillumber yards and home improvementcenters, usually carry an extensiveinventory of Ponderosa Pine prod-ucts. Both amateur and professionalremodelers find many applications for this species in home repairs, retrofitting, room additions, reno-vations, panelling and decks.

PanellingPine panelling is often associatedwith a rustic décor for kitchens, family rooms, dens and bedrooms.However, new finishing techniquesand patterns make it appropriate forboth contemporary or traditional settings.

Ponderosa Pine, in clear (SELECTS)and knotty (COMMON or BOARD)grades, is available in a range of pan-elling patterns. The grade of the run-to-pattern panelling often reflects thegrade name of starting 1x material. A few of the standard pattern profilesare shown page 11. Many patterns arereversible, offering a choice of patternor surface finish in a single panel.However, it’s important to rememberthat panelling boards are inspectedand graded on the patterned or faceside; the back or reverse side mayhave characteristics which wouldmake it a lower grade, but desirablefor a specific design effect.

Most lumber dealers carry a limit-ed selection of panelling patterns, butcan special order any of the standardpatterns. Some dealers and stockistswill arrange to have a unique patterncustom milled.

For additional information onWWPA pattern options, in profile,refer to WWPA’s Standard Patternsor contact the Wood Moulding andMillwork Producers Association onthe Internet at www.wmmpa.com.

Woodworking and FurnitureMany of the properties that makePonderosa Pine a first choice for panelling also put it at the top of the list for furniture and architecturalwoodwork such as built-in bookcas-es, benches, cupboards, desks andkitchen cabinets. SELECT, COMMON,BOARD and/or Factory & Shop gradesmay be used as appropriate for theapplication.

Cabinetmakers and woodworkersappreciate the wood’s uniform cellstructure, scarcity of resin pockets,and resistance to splitting. Finishedparts fit together snugly without bind-ing. The timber is easy to work witheither hand or machine tools andconverts readily into fine mouldingsand cabinet work.

Ponderosa with painted, pigmented stain or clear finishes fits into many decors.Some naturally occurring“blue stain” is apparent inthe side boards of the lowercabinet in the upper photo.

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In the past few years there hasbeen a resurgence in the popularity of pine furniture – antique pieces,new pieces from old pine and newpieces from new timber. Honey-tonedPonderosa Pine is a natural accompa-niment to many design schemes; sim-ply-styled bleached pine is appearingwith increasing frequency in contem-porary furnishings. Ponderosa Pinefurniture is available both finishedand unfinished, in a variety of stylesand qualities.

FinishingPonderosa Pine takes most finishesbeautifully, including paint, stain, lacquer and varnish. Unlike some ofthe heavier woods, paints and stainsdo not raise the grain; however, knotsshould be sealed before painting toprevent them from bleeding throughthe finished surface.

Treated Products for Outdoor Projects Treated Ponderosa Pine is commonlyused for outdoor applications in the western and upper mid-westernparts of the United States and abroad.These treated products may be usedfor fences, planters, storage sheds,play structures, decking, deck rail-ings, benches and other outdoor projects.

The large proportion of sapwoodin Ponderosa makes it well suited topressure treating because the preserv-atives can penetrate the sapwoodcells deeply and uniformly. PonderosaPine may be treated for above-groundor in-ground contact, and unlike somesoftwoods, it can be pressure treatedfor in-ground use without incising(perforating) the wood. The treatedproduct holds up well in storage, mak-ing it easy to yard for distrib-utors and stockists.

In addition to products in standarddimensions, treated Ponderosa Pine isalso available in two WWPA radius-edged decking grades, PATIO l and ll,which are milled expressly for use asoutdoor decking. These products aresurfaced dry to either 25 mm thick or29 mm thick by 140 mm wide with6.4 mm radius edges.

All treated lumber should have aquality control mark from an Ameri-can Lumber Standard Committee(ALSC)-approved agency to assurecompliance with industry standards.Look for the CheckMark™ to indicateALSC accreditation in the qualitymark, stamp or end tag on treated

wood products. Approved treatingagencies in the western U.S., alongwith their trademarks are as follows:

Only seasoned (dried) timber is usedin the treating process. After treat-ment, the wood should be allowed toreach equilibrium moisture contentwith the surrounding atmospherebefore it is installed in its permanentlocation. The waterbourne preserva-tives leave a clean, dry, ordourlesssurface ready for paint or stain.

Since treating standards and relat-ed building codes vary by country,region and even city by city, theWestern Wood Preservers’ Association(www.wwpinstitute.org) may be con-tacted for additional information. Or,refer to the publication, Wood ThatWorks, Wood That Lasts, on theSoftwood Export Council’s website atwww.softwood.org.

Interpreting a Quality Mark for Preservative Pressure-Treated Wood

Bode Inspection Timber Products Inspection

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Deck: Treated PonderosaPine, is a safe, economicalalternative to the naturallydurable species for a multi-tude of outdoor projects.

Laundry room: The whiteningstain enhances the slight“blue stain” apparent in someof the Ponderosa boards ofthe cabinets. Under stairs atright: Ponderosa Pine BOARDgrades are ideal for shelvesand built–in home improve-ment projects.

McCutchan Inspection Services

Canadian SoftwoodInspection, Inc.

California LumberInspection Service

ALSC* Accredited Agencies in the West

*The American Lumber Standard Committee is responsible forthe oversight and accreditation of third party inspection agenciesfor treated wood.

A – Trademark of ALSC accredited agency

B – Preservation usedC – AWPA StandardD – Retention levelE – Treating companyF – Plant locationG – Proper exposure condition

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C & BETTER SELECT productsoffer large sections of clear,

blemish-free wood. C & BTRBOARDS are in demand as atop quality interior finishing

material and for cabinet work.

STUD grade is one of four available in the

Light Framing grading classification (2X2 thru

4X4 & 2X6 STUD). Ponderosa Pine has

approximately two-thirds the strength of Douglas Fir

in the same size and same grade. STUD grade

is intended for vertical framing applications.

NO. 3 COMMON is used for a variety of building

purposes. Characteristics are lim-ited to assure a pleasing appear-

ance combined with a high degree of serviceability. It

is often specified and sold as 3 &BTR COMMON

which includes primarilyNO. 3 COMMON with

some NO. 2 COMMONand occasionally NO. 1

COMMON mixed in.

NO. 2 COMMON is widely usedfor shelving, knotty pine pan-

elling, siding, cornice soffits andfascia, as well as a wide range ofother uses where a knotty type oftimber with a fine appearance is

required.

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Above left, this page: examples of 5/4 & Thicker RWL FACTORY SELECT NO. 3 CLEAR. This grade of factory lumber is intended to be ripped and crosscut into pieces for doors. Lines indicate recommended cuts for the maximumrecovery of clear and nearly clear cuttings.

Above right examples of 4/4 S4S NO. 2 SHOP. Factory or Shop grades are anexcellent choice of product when small, high-quality pieces are required.

In the log above, the transitionfrom springwood to summer-wood (the growth rings) isbarely perceptible. As a result,the clear timber from aPonderosa Pine log often looksvirtually grainless.

Popular standard panelling patterns.

Beaded Ceiling

Tongue & Groove CM

Channel Rustic

Profile Pattern WP-4

Profile Pattern WP-6

Profile Pattern WP-2

Profile Pattern WP-11

CV Ceiling

© 2001 WWPA/SECWWPA-2C/SEC/8-01,11-03/1M

Printed in USA on recycled paper

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information and thetitles referenced in this publica-tion are available for purchasefrom WWPA. For a full descrip-tion of technical publicationsavailable and an Order Form to download and print, pleasego to the WWPA website atwww.wwpa.org. Alternatively,you may receive an Order Formfor literature via fax throughthe WWPA Fax Delivery Service. Simply telephone 1-732-544-2876 and follow theinstructions in the automatedmessage (in English only).

Additional publications, in multiple languages and with full-colour photographs,are available from the Soft-wood Export Council website:www.softwood.org.

For information on treatedPonderosa Pine products, visitthe Western Wood PreserversInstitute website atwww.wwpinstitute.org.

Western Wood ProductsAssociation522 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 500Portland, OR 97204-2122tel: 1-503-224-3930fax: 1-503-224-3934e-mail: info@wwpa.orgwebsite: www.wwpa.org

Member

Softwood Export CouncilPortland, OR USAe-mail: info@softwood.orgwebsite: www.softwood.org

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