Wood Species Guide
Spruce Pine
Pinus glabra
Also called: Cedar Pine, Walter Pine, Bottom White Pine, Poor Pine; sold with southern yellow pine
About the name “Spruce Pine”
Spruce pine is the usual name for Pinus glabra, a Gulf Coast pine. The same name is used loosely in some areas for sand pine, Virginia pine and even hemlock, so ask for the scientific name if it matters.
What Spruce Pine looks like
Heartwood is light reddish brown and the wide sapwood is pale yellow to off-white. It looks like a softer, paler southern yellow pine.
Grain and texture
Straight grain with a medium texture. Growth rings are less contrasting than in longleaf or slash pine.
Working Spruce Pine: planing, cutting and gluing
One of the softest and least resinous southern pines, so it machines easily with less gumming. Knots can tear out, and it holds nails and screws well.
Finishing Spruce Pine: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Use a conditioner or gel stain to limit blotching. Seal knots with dewaxed shellac. For epoxy, use dry wood and a seal coat, and expect the light color to yellow over time.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Low decay resistance, and termites attack it readily. In Florida keep it indoors or under cover, and acclimate boards before building.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Spruce pine grows along rivers and hardwood bottoms in north Florida and the Panhandle, often mixed in with oaks and magnolias. It rarely sells under its own name, but local logs can give clean, light pine boards for shelving and painted furniture. Ask us about Florida pines; we can often source it locally.
Common uses for Spruce Pine
Construction lumber, plywood, pulpwood and local millwork; mixed into southern yellow pine.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Few reports for spruce pine itself. Pine dust and resin can irritate skin and airways, but this species is less resinous than most southern pines.
- In the shop
- Dust collection and a 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.
Pine dust and resin can cause skin rashes or asthma-like symptoms in some people. Use dust collection and a mask when sanding.
Spruce Pine in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Spruce 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.
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