CHAKACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD OF SOUTHERN PINES. 



13 



To assist in clearing- tliis confusion tlie following synopsis of botanical and veruacular names 

 is here inserted : 



NOMENCLATURE OF SOUTHERN PINES. 



While it is easy enough to recognize the species in the field by their botanical characters, it 

 is difficult and often impossible to distinguish them in the wood by mere macroscopic inspection 

 or examination with the magnifier and witliout the aid of the microscope, nor are the miscroscopic 

 features so far recognized sufficient for specific distinction. 



A long-continued study of these woods by Mr. Filibert Roth, of the Division of Forestry, 

 has not developed any characteristics whicli would be always reliable in distingnishing the species. 

 The best that can be done is to give a synopsis of characters, by which they differ generally when 

 larger quantities, as in the log or lumber pile, are under inspection. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE "WOOD OF SOUTHERN PINES. 



Diagnostic features of the ivood. 



Name of species. 



Lon^leaf Pine 

 (Pinus 2i('lvMris Miller). 



f*ulian Pine 

 (Pinus hrlfrvphijlla (EU.) Sudw.). 



Specific gravity of / Possible range 



kiln-dried wood. \ itost frequent range 



Weight, pounds per cubic foot, kiln-dried 



wooil, aveiage. 

 Character of grain seen in cross section 



.50 to .90 



.55 to .65 



36 



Fine and even ; annual rings quite uniformly 

 narrow on large logs, averaging generally 

 I 20 to 25 rings to the inch. 



Color, general appearance ' Even dark reddish-yellow to reddish-brown. 



Sapwood, proportion Little ; rarely over 2 to 3 inches of radius 



Resin . 



Very abundant; parts often turning into 

 "light wood;" pitchy throughout. 



.50 to .90 



.55 to .70 



37 



Variable and coarse; rings mostly wide, 



averaging on larger logs 10 to 20 rings to the 



inch. 

 Dark straw c()lor, with tinge of flesh color. 

 Broad. 3 to G inches. 

 Abundant, .sometimes yielding more pitch 



than Longleaf; "bleeds" freely, yielding 



little scrape. 



Name of species. 



Shortleaf Pine 

 {Pinus echinata Miller). 



Lobolly Pine 

 {Pinus tteda Linn.). 



Specific gravity of / Possible range 



kiln-dried wood. I Most frequent range 



Wciglit, pounds per cubic toot, kiln-dried 



wood, average. 

 (Jharacter of grain seen in cross section 



Color, general appearance 



Sapwood, proportion 



Resin 



.40 to .80 



.45 to .55 



30 



Very variable; medium, coarse; rings w^de 

 near heart, followed by zone of narrow 

 rings; not less than i (mostly about 10 to 

 15) rings to the inch, but often very tine- 

 grained. 



Whitish to reddish brown 



Commonly 2 to 4 inches of radius 



Moderately abundant, least pitchy ; only near 

 stumps, knots, and limbs. 



.40 to .80 



.45 to .55 



31 



Variable, mostly very coarse; 3 to 12 rings to 

 the inch, generally wider thauiu ahortleaf. 



Yellowish to rcddisli and orange brown. 

 Very variable, 3 to 6 inches of the radius, 

 Aljiindant; more than Shortleaf, less than 



Longleaf and Cuban, but does not "bleed"' if 



tapped. 



