Common Names:   Ponderosa pine Pine Big pine Bird's-eye pine Knotty pine Lodgepole pine Oregon pine Pitch pine Pole pine Prickly pine Western yellow pine Blackjack pine Purchase Pine Ponderosa

Mechanical Values

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

Distribution
The most widely distributed of the pines in North America, Ponderosa pine is reported to grow from British Columbia to near the Mexican border. The species is found in Alberta, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It is reported to grow mostly in the mountains, often in pure stands to form extensive forests, but may also be in mixed coniferous forests. Ponderosa pine is reported to grow from sea level in the northern parts of its range to an altitude of up 9000 feet (2745 m) in the south, with the best stand of trees occuring between 4000 and 8000 feet (1220 and 2440 m). 

Product Sources
Some material from this species is reported to be available from environmentally responsible or sustainably managed sources. 

Supplies of Ponderosa pine are reported to be substantial, with large inventories in both pure and mixed Ponderosa pine forests. The species is generally considered to be the most commercially important of the western pines.

Tree Data
The tree is reported to be rather large to very large. It grows to a height of 60 to 130 feet (18 to 39 m) and a diameter of 30 to 48 inches (80 to 120 cm). 

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is whitish to pale yellow and is reported to be very thick in mature trees.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is deep yellow to reddish brown, yellowish to light reddish, or orange brown.

Grain
Grain is reported to be typically straight and even, and the wood is occasionally figured with a bird's-eye pattern and dimples on split tangential surfaces. It is also characterized by fine, dark lines of resin ducts and numerous knots that are generally sound.

Texture
Texture is described as medium, and slow growth is reported to produce wood with a uniform texture.

Odor
Freshly-milled wood is reported to have a clear and pleasant pine odor, but no characteristic taste.

Ease of Drying
The timber is reported to dry without too much difficulty. Rapid conversion of logs and sesoning of lumber is recommended to prevent blue stains. Strength is reported to be unaffected by blue stains, and can be hidden with paint or accented with clear finishes and used as lower grade lumber.

Drying Defects
Timber from young trees may warp during drying due to juvenile and compression wood. Other defects include brown stains.

Kiln Schedules
Standard T9-C6 (4/4); T7-C5 (8/4) US
Schedule L (4/4) United Kingdom

Antibrown-stain
T7-E6 (4/4); T7-E5 (8/4) US 

T/R Ratio
1.50
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Movement in Service
Ponderosa pine is reported to be stable after seasoning, and exhibits only small dimensional changes in response to climate fluctuations in its immediate surroundings.

Natural Durability
Ponderosa pine is reported to have very little natural resistance to attack by decay fungi and other wood destroying organisms, and should not be used under high decay hazard conditions without proper protection.

Resistance to Impregnation
The thick sapwood in mature trees is reported to absorb preservatives readily.

Abnormal Wood Tissue
The wood often contains compression wood.

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on cutting edges is reported to be rather small.

Cutting Resistance
The timber is reported to saw well, but resin exudation may gum up sawteeth.

Varnishing
Ponderosa pine is reported to take a variety of finishes well, but may require some surface preparation.

Planing
Planing properties are reported to be very good, but pitch build-up on tools could be a problem.

Turning
The material is reported to turn very well.

Moulding
Moulding qualities are rated as very good.

Boring
Ponderosa pine is reported to respond very well to boring.

Mortising
The wood is reported to have excellent mortising characteristics. 

Nailing
The material is reported to have excellent resistance to splitting in nailing. Nail holding properties are good.

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

Gluing
Gluing characteristics are rated as very good.

Painting
To prevent bleeding of finishes, especially around knots, pre-treatment of wood surfaces with a sealer before painting has been recommended.

Response to Hand Tools
The timber is reported to work easily with hand tools, with little blunting effect on cutting edges. The wood is typically knotty but most of the knots are sound. Resin exudation may interfere with some woodworking operations.

Strength Properties
Bending strength in the air-dried condition (about 12% moisture content) is medium. Crushing strength is also medium. Surfaces may dent or scratch easily since the wood is soft. Weight is about average.