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| Wood type |
Softwood |
| Environmental |
Not listed in CITES. Believed available from well-managed sources. Check certification status with suppliers. |
| Introduction |
Pinus caribaea is the principal coniferous species found in the Caribbean area; Formerly considered the same as slash pine of the south-eastern USA, it was discovered that minor morphological differences necessitated separation of the species and United States slash pine has now been given the distinctive name Pinus elliottii Engelm. |
| Distribution |
Pinus caribaea grows in the Bahamas, western Cuba, the Isle of Pines, and in Central America from Belize to eastern Guatemala, northern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua |
| The Tree |
The size of the trees vary somewhat according to location, but usually they grow to a height of about 30.0m with a diameter of 1.0m and are free from branches for about 15.0m to 21.0m |
| The Timber |
The wood closely resembles American pitch pine ; the heartwood is reddish-brown, the depth of colour varying with the amount of resin present and the sapwood, which is 50mm to 75mm wide, is pale yellowish-brown. The wood is coarse in texture with a more or less pronounced resinous odour, and the grain is typically straight. Growth zones of dark tissue produce conspicuous bands on all surfaces, and while a relatively wide band of |
| Drying |
Pitch pine air-dries rather slowly with a tendency for end splitting in thick stock to occur. It also kiln dries slowly, and care is needed to avoid checking, splitting and distortion |
| Strength |
Caribbean pitch pine is a hard, dense, resinous timber of high strength properties resembling those of the densest grade of American pitch pine when dried, but some 15 per cent more resistant to shock loads and to splitting, and about 45 per cent harder |
| Working Qualities |
Good - Good |
| Durability |
Moderately durable |
| Treatability |
Moderately easy |
Moisture
Movement |
Medium |
Density
(mean, Kg/m³) |
720 |
| Texture |
Coarse |
| Use(s) |
Heavy structural use, Bridge construction, Exterior joinery, Interior joinery, Flooring, Structural |
| Colour(s) |
Reddish brown (Heartwood. Colour depth varies depending on resin), Yellow brown (Sapwood) |
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