Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
One of the primary Southern yellow pine species, the backbone of construction lumber in the American South.
Commonly built
- Framing lumber
- Decking joists
- Utility shelving
Appearance
Yellowish to reddish-brown, with pronounced grain contrast between dense latewood and softer earlywood.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Resinous, blades can gum up faster than on true softwoods like Eastern white pine. Sold mostly as construction-grade, pick through for clear stock.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn loblolly pine panel moves roughly 0.40 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Loblolly Pine move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Loblolly Pine?
Loblolly Pine has a Janka hardness of 690 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Loblolly Pine suitable for outdoor use?
Loblolly Pine is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Loblolly Pine to work with?
Loblolly Pine has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Loblolly Pine move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn loblolly pine panel moves roughly 0.40 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used loblolly pine, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.