All information provided by the Southern Pine Council

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    Southern Yellow Pine grows in a vast band across the Southern United States, from East Texas to Virginia. In fact, it's a rare county that doesn't contain a representative of one of the four main species: shortleaf, longleaf, loblolly or slash. Lumber from all four is marketed as Southern Pine (or Southern Yellow Pine) and graded in accordance with the grading rules of the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB), approved by the American Lumber Standard Committee. Market opportunities for Southern Pine lumber exist in residential, nonresidential and industrial applications. Major market areas are throughout the United States, as well as export markets in China, Europe, Japan, Mexico, and the Caribbean Basin.

The inherent characteristics that make Southern Pine such a desirable species for so many applications are:

• HIGH STRENGTH - Design values assigned for Southern Pine are among the highest for all softwoods.

• SEASONING - Grade marked Southern Pine dimension lumber (2" and less in thickness) must be dried to a maximum moisture content of 19%. This minimizes the shrinkage associated with "green lumber."
• NAIL HOLDING - The ability of Southern Pine to hold fasteners is among the highest of the softwoods. Drying enhances nail holding and reduces the tendency for "nail pop" associated with drywall construction.
• DURABILITY - Southern Pine is highly resistant to wear; therefore, it is suitable for flooring, decks, patios, marinas, boardwalks and other high-traffic applications.
• TREATABILITY - Southern Pine is also one of the easiest softwoods to pressure-treat with preservatives. As a result, treated Southern Pine is one of the largest segments of the Southern Pine market.
• QUALITY - SPC members produce Southern Pine lumber to the highest quality standards, as contained in the SPIB grading rules. You can build on that!

Grading

A Few Words On Blue Stain

    Blue stain is a common cause for the discoloration of lumber. Certain dark-colored microscopic fungi cause a bluish or grayish discoloration in the sapwood of the tree. However, not all blue stains are blue. Common stain shades can be blue to bluish black or gray to brown. Sometimes, the stain coloration in lumber may appear as red, yellow, orange, or purple. Blue stain has no effect on the performance and strength of lumber. Structural lumber is not downgraded due to the presence of blue stain and should not be labeled inferior lumber. Because blue stain does not detract from the strength properties of dimension lumber, blue-stained lumber can be used for exactly the same purpose as non-stained lumber. Just be certain that the lumber has a grade mark accredited by the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC), which identifies the grade, moisture content, inspection service, species, and mill identification number.
    Blue stain is not mold. However, for a simple test to determine whether or not a piece of lumber is blue-stained or growing mold, lightly rub the affected surface of the wood. Mold grows on the surface and can be brushed off or smeared, where as blue stain penetrates deep into the wood and cannot be removed. Blue stain is also not a decay fungi. Blue stain fungi live on the nutrients stored in the cells of the wood, not on the cellulose fibers of the tree itself.
    Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged the forest resources along the Gulf Coast. As salvage operations begin to recover downed timber, the lumber manufactured may contain a natural discoloration which begins after trees are severed or damaged. Early estimates indicate nearly 15 billion board feet of pine saw timber has been damaged by these recent hurricanes. Combined with the devastation Hurricane Ivan caused in 2004, a larger proportion of blue-stained lumber will likely enter Southern Pine lumber markets. Blue stain fungi have no effect on the treatability of Southern Pine lumber and stained lumber may be treated to guard against decay and termites.