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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resin Content
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Substitutes
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Pinus monticola

Trade Name
Western white pine

Family Name
Pinaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Idaho white pine, Mountain pine, Mountain white pine, Pine, Silver pine, Soft pine, Western white pine, White pine

Regions of Distribution
North America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Canada, United States

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Domestic flooring, Drawing boards, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory flooring, Flooring, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Matchboxes, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Packing cases, Paneling , Paneling, Partitions, Plywood, Rafters, Roofing, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Siding, Sub-flooring, Toys, Trimming, Vehicle parts, Wainscotting

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Rare
Widespread, abundant and globally secure
May be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery
Data source is Nature Conservancy


Distribution Overview
This species occurs in Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington. It grows primarily in western Montana and northern Idaho. Western white pine is sometimes referred to as 'Idaho White pine' because it 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.

Heartwood Color
Red
Brown
Yellow
Pink
Orange
Purple
White to cream
Pale brown
Reddish brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Red
Pale yellow to reddish brown or cream to light brown
Numerous knots, which are darker in color
Fine resin ducts
Darkens upon exposure


The timber a very popular choice for panelling
The wood is similar to Eastern white pine in appearance.

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Red
White to yellow
Same as heartwood
Nearly white to pale yelllowish white
Narrow to medium in width


Grain
Straight
Figure
Growth rings (figure)
Even
Distinct (figure)
Weak (figure)

Straight
Clear growth rings (figure)
Weak figure
Straight and even
Distinct figure


Texture
Medium
Fine
Coarse
Medium
Medium coarse to coarse
Fine
Fair to medium coarse


Natural Growth Defects
Latex or other ducts


Natural Durability
Non-durable
Moderately durable
Perishable
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Non durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Some natural resistance to attack by decay fungi
Moderately resistant
Chemical protection required before application under conditions promoting decay


Odor
Has an odor
Has a taste
Slight resinous odor
No taste


Resin Content
Resinous


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a moderate speed
Drying (speed) is fast
UK=L US=T146C6S/T12C5S
UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7
T9-C5(4/4);T7-C4(8/4)Us Schedule L (4/4) United Kingdom


Drying Defects
Distortion
Checking
Slight twist/warp
Slight surface checking
Chemical brown stains


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Reconditioning Treatement
Easy
Moderate


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries quickly


Tree Size
Tree height is 20-30 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 10-20 m
Bark width is 25-30 mm
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm


Certified Source
Certified Source


Substitutes
Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon)

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Slight blunting effect on cutting edges


Boring
Easy
Responds very well to boring


Carving
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Easy to saw, especially if cutting edges are kept very sharp


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to glue
Moderate gluing properties
Excellent gluing properties


Mortising
Finishes well
Easy to mortise
Excellent mortising characteristics


Moulding
Good finishing results
Easy to mould
Very good moulding properties


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Stable
Small dimensional changes in response to fluctuations in atmospheric conditions


Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Holds nails well
Easy to nail
Satisfactory resistance to decay above ground
Good nail holding properties
Excellent resistance to splitting in nailing operations


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Planes well, to a good finish
Easy to plane
Works to yield very clean and smooth surfaces
Very good planning properties


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable sapwood
Permeable heartwood
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Sapwood is moderately resistant
Permeable
Moderately resistant to preservative treatment
Heartwood is moderately resistant


Resistance to Splitting
Good
Satisfactory


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Easy to machine
Yields a smooth, clean finish
Responds well to hand tools
Requires very sharp cutting edges


Routing & Recessing
Routing yields good results
Routing is easy


Sanding
Good sanding properties


Screwing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Screwing yields good results
Easy to screw
Good screw holding properties
Excellent screwing properties


Turning
Good results
Easy to turn
Turns well


Veneering Qualities
Veneers moderately easy
Difficult to veneer
Veneers easily
Suitable for peeling
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Suitable for peeling
Moderately easy to veneer


Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results
Generally unsuitable for steam bending


Painting
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results
Takes paint well
Satisfactory results


Polishing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Good results
Generally polishes well


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Finish is generally good
Stains well
Satisfactory


Varnishing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good results
Varnishes well


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Max. crushing strength = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Toughness (total work) = very low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Surfaces may dent easily
Soft
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Medium weight
Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength52899229psi
Crushing Strength206451psi
Density26lbs/ft3
Hardness372lbs
Impact Strength1819inches
Maximum Crushing Strength24454698psi
Shearing Strength970psi
Static Bending28425390psi
Stiffness118914221000 psi
Toughness95inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load58inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.320.35
Weight2726lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%
Volumetric Shrinkage11%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength371648kg/cm2
Crushing Strength1431kg/cm2
Density416kg/m3
Hardness168kg
Impact Strength4548cm
Maximum Crushing Strength171330kg/cm2
Shearing Strength68kg/cm2
Static Bending199378kg/cm2
Stiffness83991000 kg/cm2
Toughness109cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.350.56cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.320.35
Weight432416kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage6%

References
Bendsten, B.A.,1972,Important Structural Properties of Four Western Softwoods: White Pine,,Sugar Pine, Western Redcedar, Port-Orford Cedar,USDA Forest Service Research Paper FPL191

Betts, H.S.,1954,American Woods - Western White Pine,USDA, Forest Service American Woods

Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1984,Wapa- Eperua falcata, E. grandiflora, E. rubignosa,Bois et Forets des Tropiques Vol.204 p.69-72

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.

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

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.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

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

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.

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

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

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.

Mullins, E.J. and McKnight, T.S.,1981,Canadian Woods Their Properties and Uses,University of Toronto Press 3rd Edition

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.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

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, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

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

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.

Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85

Wood, A.D.,1963,Plywoods of the World: Their Development, Manufacture and,Application,Johnston & Bacon Ltd. Edinburgh & London









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