Pines

Pine is the most familiar softwood in America, and Florida has a long history with it. Longleaf pine once covered much of the Southeast, and the dense, resin-rich heartwood from those old trees, known as heart pine, is now reclaimed from old buildings for flooring, beams and tabletops with a deep amber glow. Southern yellow pine, from today's plantation longleaf, slash, loblolly and shortleaf pines, is the strong framing lumber behind much of Florida's construction. Eastern white pine is the soft, light, easy-carving pine of the Northeast, great for painted furniture, trim and signs. Pine is light, inexpensive and easy to work, though resin can gum up blades and sandpaper. Most pine sapwood rots quickly outdoors unless treated, and termites like it, so plan finishes and placement with Florida in mind. See each species below for strength, finishing tips and how we use it in our Fort Myers shop.