Lodgepole pine

Overview

A light yellow pine common in western lumber, often with small tight knots and a distinctive dimpled flatsawn figure that resembles birdseye. It is the kind of knotty, fine-textured softwood you will see in cabin-style furniture and panelling, and in dimensional SPF lumber.

Pros

• Works well with hand and machine tools; glues and finishes well (Wood Database).
• Small-knotted, light and affordable.
• Distinctive dimpled figure on flatsawn faces.
• Widely available as construction lumber.

Cons

• Soft and light (480 lbf), so it dents.
• Knots are frequent and often tight but visible.
• Spiral grain can twist boards.
• Moderate to low decay resistance (Wood Database).

Variants and subspecies

• The Wood Database notes at least three subspecies, including coastal shore pine.
• SPF: sold with spruce and fir in dimension lumber, see Eastern and northern spruces and True firs.
• PP/LP: stamped together with Ponderosa pine; ponderosa usually has fewer knots.

Working and finishing

Mills and planes easily. Spiral grain can cause twist and tear-out, so take light cuts and check stock for straightness. Pre-drill for screws and glue as with any pine.

Staining and finishing colour

Light colour that takes clear finish well. Pigment stains blotch, so condition first or use gel. Dimples and knots take colour differently, which can look attractive or messy depending on the stain.

Sustainability and handling

Not CITES-listed (Wood Database; checked 2026-09-30); IUCN Least Concern as of 2026-09-30. The Wood Database notes allergic skin reactions and asthma-like symptoms reported from pine, so use dust control.

Popular projects

Cabin and log-style furniture, wall and ceiling panelling, drawer sides, painted case pieces and general framing work.

Buying notes

Usually sold as "pine" or as part of SPF/PP-LP lumber. No species-specific price listing was opened for this guide, so the range shown is an estimate near common softwood prices (white pine was listed at $3.75 per bf at thewoodyard.com in Sept 2026). Check for twist in each board.