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Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Pinus contorta Trade Name Lodgepole pine Family Name Pinaceae Common Names Black pine, Contorta pine, Jack pine, Knotty pine, Lodgepole pine, Scrub pine, Shore pine, Spruce pine, Tamarack pine, Western jack pine Regions of Distribution Central America, North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States Common Uses Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Construction, Cooperages, Corral rails, Crossties, Decorative veneer, Fuelwood, Furniture, Hardboards, Joinery, Light construction, Mine timbers, Orchard props, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Siding, Structural plywood, Veneer Environmental Profile Environmental status not officially assessed Distribution Overview The species is widely distributed, and is the only conifer native to both Alaska and Mexico. The Pacific Coast variety of the species (var. contorta) is described as a small tree with spreading crown and cones that open at maturity but remains attached. Sierra Lodgepole pine (var. murrayana), which grows in the Cascade Mountains of southwestern Washington and western Oregon, the Sierra Nevada of central California, and south to northern Baja, is described as tall and narrow, with lightweight cones that open at maturity and shed within a few years. Lodgepole pine or Rocky Mountain Lodgepole pine (var. latifolia), which grows in the Rocky Mountains is also tall and narrow. It is highly adaptable to forest fires, with cones that remain tightly closed on the tree for many years until a fire destroys the forest. Heat from fire causes the cones to open and expend their seeds to begin a new forest. Lodgepole pine has also been successfully cultivated in the United Kingdom, in Wales, northern Scotland, northwest England, and also throughout Ireland. The tree thrives on mostly well-drained soils, and is often found in pure stands. Shore pine (var. contorta) grow in peat bogs, muskegs, and dry, sandy sites. The coastal variety of the species occurs from sea level to elevations of 2000 feet (610 m). Inland varieties are found at elevations of 1500 to 3000 feet (457 to 914 m) in the north, and at 7000 to 11500 feet (2134 to 3505 m) in the south. Lodgepole pine is capable of tolerating severe climatic and soil conditions. The species also grows in the interior of British Columbia and in Western Alberta, as well as in adjacent areas in the southern Yukon and southwestern Northeast Territories in Canada. Lodgepole pine (var. murrayana) has also been successfully cultivated in New Zealand. Product Sources It is currently unknown whether lumber and other timber products produced from this species are obtainable from sustainably managed sources. Lodgepole pine is included in the Spruce-Pine-Fir (South) species combination in structural sizes and grades. It is also marketed separately or in a mixture with Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). For certain applications, the following species in the database compare favorably with Lodgepole pine: Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) \ Heartwood Color Yellow Red Brown Purple Orange Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown White to cream Reddish brown Scarecly darker than sapwood Numerous small knots Light yellow to pale yellowish brown Brown Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Same as heartwood Paler than heartwood Not clearly differentiated from heartwood Nearly white to pale yellow Grain Straight Figure Growth rings (figure) Even Distinct (figure) Irregular Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Irregular or uneven grain occasionally Generally straight, but not always Distinct figure Distinct figure Dimpled on tangential surfaces. Growth rings are delineated by a band of darker colored latewood, with an abrupt transition between earlywood and latewood. Split tangential surfaces often have a distinct dimpling, a feature which is useful in the separation of Lodgepole pine from other commercial pines, except Ponderosa and Jack pines. Texture Coarse Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin exudation Natural Durability Perishable Moderately durable Non-durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Moderately durable Low natural resistance to decay when in contact with the ground Odor Non-Characteristic resinous odor No specific taste Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct Kiln Schedules UK=L US=T146C6S/T12C5S T10-C4(4/4); T9-C3(8/4)US Schedule L (4/4) United Kingdom Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Resin Exudation Severe twisting/warping Severe surface checking Minimal checking and warping Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Gum Exudation Rapidly Veneer dries relatively rapidly, with little degrade except slight tendency to split Easy Dries very slowly Dries at a fairly rapid rate Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 50-60 m Bole length is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Boring Responds readily and very well to boring Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Glues well Mortising Good mortising properties Moulding Good moulding properties Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Stable Small Good dimensional stability and shows little movement in use Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Holds nails well Easy to nail Very good nailing qualities Satisfactory resistance to decay above ground Poor resistance to decay Planing Very clean and shiny worked surfaces Responds well to ordinary tools as long as they are sharp Excellent planning properties Ease of planing is moderate Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Moderately difficult to treat with preservatives Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Screwing Takes screws very well Satisfactory resistance to decay above ground Poor results Firmly holds screws Turning Turns well Veneering Qualities Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Suitable for peeling No drying degrade Slight to moderate buckles and splits No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Moderately easy to veneer Easy to cut Steam Bending Poor to Very Poor Results Painting Satisfactory results Good results Holds paint well without any bleeding by knots Polishing Generally polishes well Staining Good staining qualities Finish is generally good Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Work to Maximum Load Toughness (total work) = very low Toughness (total work) = low Soft wood, with surfaces denting easily Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Moderate weight Moderate density Medium bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12% moisture content) Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = very low The timber is the strongest of the pines native to Western United States Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5561 9085 psi Crushing Strength 245 598 psi Density 29 lbs/ft3 Hardness 402 lbs Impact Strength 20 21 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2614 4936 psi Shearing Strength 1005 psi Stiffness 1059 1281 1000 psi Toughness 130 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 6 8 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.35 0.37 Weight 29 28 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 390 638 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 17 42 kg/cm2 Density 464 kg/m3 Hardness 182 kg Impact Strength 50 53 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 183 347 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 70 kg/cm2 Stiffness 74 90 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 149 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.42 0.56 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.35 0.37 Weight 464 448 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References Betts, H.S.,1954,American Woods - Western White Pine,USDA, Forest Service American Woods 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, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA 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 Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Constantine, Jr. A.J. 1975. Know your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition, Revised by Harry J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner and Sons, New York Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kotok, E.S.,1971,American Woods - Lodgepole Pine,USDA, Forest Service American Woods FS-253 Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. MacDonald, J., R.F. Wood, M.V. Edwards and J.R. Aldhous, Editors. 1957. Exotic Forest Trees in Great Britain. Forestry Commission Bulletin No. 30. Paper Prepared for the Seventh British Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Australia and New Zealand. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479 Mirov, N.T. 1967. The Genus PINUS. The Ronald Press Company, New York. LCC Card No. 67-14783. Mitchell, A.F. 1985. Conifers. Forestry Commision Booklet No. 15. Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Mullins, E.J. and McKnight, T.S.,1981,Canadian Woods Their Properties and Uses,University of Toronto Press 3rd Edition New Zealand Forest Service. 1957. Forest Trees and Timbers of New Zealand. Bulletin No. 12, New Zealand Forest Service. Compiled under the Direction of A.R. Entrican by H.V. Hinds and J.S. Reid. Governemnt Printer, Wellington, New Zealand. Panshin, A.J. and C. de Zeuuw. 1980. Textbook of Wood Technology: Structure, Identification, Properties, and Uses of the Commercial Woods of the United States and Canada, Fourth Edition. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operator's Manual, (Preliminary Copy). Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Western Wood Products Association. (no date). Softwoods of the Western USA. Published by the Western Wood Products Association, Yeon Building, 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon.