softwood · Pinus palustris
Longleaf Pine wood properties
Also known as: southern yellow pine, longleaf yellow pine.
| Type | softwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Pinus palustris |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,980,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.65 |
| Density (approx) | 41 lb/ft³ (3.4 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 870 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 7.5% / 5.1% |
| Region | Southeastern United States |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Longleaf Pine weighs about 13.5 lb (roughly 41 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 870 lbf is harder than about 41% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: construction stringers, roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, subflooring, sheathing.
Durability: Heartwood offers moderate decay resistance, fine for general framing but not lasting ground contact.
Workability: Machines reasonably well, though heavy resin tends to clog abrasives and gum cutters; bonds and finishes nicely.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Longleaf Pine:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE (1,980,000 lbf/in2), Janka (870 lbf) and shrinkage (T 7.5%, R 5.1%) from The Wood Database, which cites the USDA FPL Wood Handbook. Specific gravity 0.65 is the 12% MC value (page lists basic 0.54, 12% MC 0.65). No dimensional change coefficient given: Longleaf Pine has no exact row in the FPL/Hoadley table reproduced by Popular Woodworking, so CT/CR are omitted. Region, uses, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.