CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD OF SOUTHERN PINES. 



13 



To assist hi clearing this confusion the following synopsis of botanical and vernacular 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 without the aid of the microscope, nor are the miscroscopic 

 features so far recognized sufficient for specific distinction. 



Along-continued study of these woods by Mr. Filibert Both, of the Division of Forestry, 

 has not developed any characteristics which would be always reliable in distinguishing 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. 



: features i>f the trood. 



Xiirnt- of s|- 



Lonirleaf I'in' 

 u* paluttri* Miller). 



Cuban Pine 

 (Pinus heterophylla (Kll.) Sudw.). 



Spec itii 1 gravity of \ Possible rail-it- 



kiln-dried wood. 1 Most freqin-nt nmge 



Weight, pounds per cubic font, kiln-dried 



wood, average. 

 Character of grain seen in cross section 



.51 to .90 

 .55 to .65 



36 



Fine and even ; annual rings quite uniformly 



narrow,on largo logs averaging generally 

 20 to 25 ringa to the inch. 

 Color, general ;ippi-arance Even dark reddish-yellow to reddish-brown. . 



Sap wood, proportion 

 Resin 



Name of species. 



->)periiir gnivity "t ( Possible range 



kiln-dried wood. I Mont frequent range. -- 

 Weight, pounds per cubic loot, kiln dried 



wood, average. 

 Character of grain seen in cross section 



Color, general appearance 



Sap wood, proportion 



Resin 



Little; rarely over 2 to 3 im-he* of radius 



Very abundant; parts often turning into 

 "light wood;" pitchy throughout. 



.50 to .90 



.55 to .70 

 37 



Variable anil coarse; rings mostly wide, 



averaging on larger logs 10 to 20 rings to the 



inrli. 



Dark straw color, with tinge of flesh color. 

 I -road, ;i to G inches. 

 Abundant, sometimes yielding more pitch. 



than Longleaf ; ''bleeds 1 ' freely, yielding 



little scrape. 



Shortleaf I'ine 

 (Pinus echinata Miller). 



Lobolly Pine 

 (Pinus tceda Linn.). 



.40 to .80 



.45 to .55 



30 



Very variable; medium coarse; rings wide 

 near heart, followed by zone of narrow 

 rings; not less than 4 (mostly about 10 to 

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

 grained. 



Whitish to reddish-brown 



Commonly over 4 inches of radius 



Moderately abundant, least pitchy ; only near 

 stamps, knots, and limbs. 



.40 to .80 



.45 to .55 



31 



Variable, mostly very coarse; 3 to 12 rings to 

 the inch, generally wider than in shortleaf. 



Yellowish to reddish and orange brown. 

 Very variable, 3 to 6 inches of the radius. 

 Abundant; more than Shortleaf, less than 

 Longleaf and Cuban. 



