Today, America is recognized worldwide as a sustainable source of top quality products.
The simple cell structure of softwoods’ long, uniformly packed fibers gives them a high strength-to-weight ratio, making them flexible and capable of bearing heavy loads. American softwoods have the strength to sustain longer spans for trusses and joists, as well as the clear, fine-grained lumber that is in demand for joinery applications, such as paneling, door frames, windows, flooring and furniture. The various species of softwoods from Southern and Western America provide a wide range of choices.
The four main species of Southern Yellow Pine are Longleaf (Pinus palustris), Slash (Pinus elliottii), Shortleaf (Pinus echinata) and Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).
A creamy straw-color that will darken with age to a deep rich tan. Available in a wide range of grades and sizes.
Often referred to as the White pines, this is a commercially important group, known for its resinous odor and light color.
A species combination of the five true firs: California Red fir, Grand fir, White fir, Noble fir, and Pacific Silver fir with Western Hemlock.
Among the harder, stronger Western softwoods, it is marketed and sold separately as well as in the Hem-fir species combination.
Straight-grained and moderately heavy, with limited resin, this is one of the most attractive and strongest of the Western softwood species.
This species combination, classed as moderately strong, is cross-continental in origin.
The creamy white to light yellow sapwood blends gradually into its pinkish-yellow to light-brown heartwood.
Among the lightest of the commercially important softwoods, although strong in relation to weight. It is nearly white, with a reddish tinge, and odourless.
Distinct among commercial softwoods for its fine, uniform, straight grain, Western larch is one of the harder, stronger and heavier softwoods.
A slow-growing, long-lived tree, whose aromatic wood is highly decay-resistant.
California Redwood, Bald Cypress, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, and Incense Cedar