What is Southern Pine?

From Texas to Virginia, Southern Pine is the wood species of choice for many building, remodeling and do-it-yourself projects. Southern Pine forests cover much of the Southeastern United States. There are four main species of Southern Pine trees: shortleaf, longleaf, loblolly and slash. All Southern Pine wood is classified as softwood.

But don�t let that classification fool you! Southern Pine is anything but �soft.� For centuries Southern Pine has remained the building material of choice because it is such a strong and durable product. In fact, studies prove that Southern Pine lumber is the strongest softwood species available. Because it is such a dense wood, Southern Pine holds onto nails and other fasteners better than most other softwoods and reduces the likelihood of unsightly �nail pops.�

Southern Pine products are very economical – especially when compared to the alternatives. Southern Pine can be purchased as “clear wood,” meaning it is in its natural state, or as “treated wood.” Treated Southern Pine is injected with family and pet-safe preservatives which enable it to withstand decay, rot and termites. Upwards of 85 percent of all treated wood nationwide is Southern Pine. Why? The structure of the wood itself allows it to accept paint, stain or preservative treatment better than any other species. Treated Southern Pine wood will resist pests and decay better than any other species or composite material – and it will look better doing it!

Southern Pine is the premium wood choice for any project in or around your home: from a new pressure treated Southern Pine deck to interior heart pine flooring, a gorgeous front porch or pine paneling; from decorative Southern Pine moulding to the very frame of your home. And you can rest easy knowing your choice will not affect our country's beautiful forest lands. Our Southern Pine forests are abundant and thriving, and more trees are planted each year than are harvested. For more information about Southern Pine and the environment, see the Our Environment page.