Wood Species Guide
Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla
Also called: Norfolk Pine, Star Pine
What Norfolk Island Pine looks like
Wood is a creamy white to pale tan, with little difference between heartwood and sapwood. The branch knots are a darker reddish brown and form rings around the trunk.
Grain and texture
Straight grain with a fine, even texture. The knots come in whorls at regular spacing, which gives turned bowls a starburst pattern.
Working Norfolk Island Pine: planing, cutting and gluing
Clear wood is easy to work, but knots are much harder than the surrounding wood and can cause tearout and uneven sanding. It is a favorite among bowl turners.
Finishing Norfolk Island Pine: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and clear finishes well. The pale wood can yellow with time. Turned pieces look great with a light oil or wax.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not durable outdoors and prone to blue stain when green. Turners often rough turn it wet and let it dry slowly.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Norfolk Island pine is the tall symmetrical tree you see near the coast across South Florida. Turners prize it for the ring of knots that show as a star pattern in bowls. It is too soft and knotty for tabletops, so think lathe projects. Rough turn it while green and dry it slowly to limit cracks.
Common uses for Norfolk Island Pine
Bowl turning, decorative turnings and small crafts.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable because of its tiny native range, but planted trees are common.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
Skin irritation has been reported for woods in this genus, but reactions are uncommon. Few reports exist for this species.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + dust mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Woods in this genus have been reported to cause skin irritation, though reactions are uncommon. Use normal dust precautions.
Norfolk Island Pine in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Norfolk Island Pine listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
Similar woods: Other Softwoods
- European YewTaxus baccata European yew is the legendary longbow wood, with orange heartwood, cream sapwood and wild figure. It turns beautifully,...
- KauriAgathis australis Kauri is New Zealand's giant conifer, and ancient swamp kauri is wood buried in bogs for tens of...
- Pacific YewTaxus brevifolia Pacific yew is a small, slow-growing Northwest tree with dense orange-red wood and cream sapwood. Bowyers and turners...
- PodocarpusPodocarpus spp. (Florida landscape trees are usually P. macrophyllus; see note) Podocarpus, or yew pine, is the familiar Florida hedge and landscape conifer. Big trees occasionally give us pale,...