CutMath

Shortleaf Pine

Pinus echinata · softwood · Southeastern US · moderate movement

Field data
  • Janka hardness 690 lbfred oak ≈ 1,290 lbf
  • Density ≈ 36 lb/ft³specific gravity 0.51 at 12% MC
  • Shrinkage — tangential 7.7%flatsawn width, green → ovendry
  • Shrinkage — radial 4.6%quartersawn width
  • T/R ratio 1.7 : 1higher = more cupping in flatsawn stock

Shop notes A principal southern yellow pine; in the shop it behaves like loblolly — strong, splintery, resinous.

Seasonal movement at a glance

Width change for shortleaf pine across a typical indoor year — 6% moisture content in the heated winter to 12% in a humid summer:

Board widthFlatsawnQuartersawn
6″ 3/32″ (0.099″) 1/16″ (0.059″)
12″ 3/16″ (0.198″) 1/8″ (0.118″)
24″ 13/32″ (0.396″) 1/4″ (0.237″)
36″ 19/32″ (0.594″) 11/32″ (0.355″)

Run your own numbers

Different width, different climate swing — the calculator below is preset to shortleaf pine:

Board & conditions
Grain
Conditions given as

Typical swings:

Movement estimate
    Estimate Figures use species-average shrinkage from the USDA Wood Handbook and the standard shop movement formula. Individual boards vary — leave margin, especially with flatsawn stock.

    Shortleaf Pine questions

    How much does shortleaf pine move with the seasons?

    A 12″-wide flatsawn shortleaf pine board moves about 3/16″ across a typical indoor swing from 6% to 12% moisture content; quartersawn, about 1/8″. Its tangential shrinkage is 7.7% and radial 4.6% (green to ovendry) — a moderate-movement wood.

    How hard is shortleaf pine?

    Shortleaf Pine rates about 690 lbf on the Janka scale — soft enough to dent in daily use (red oak is roughly 1,290 lbf). Density runs about 36 lb/ft³ at indoor moisture levels.

    Is shortleaf pine good for wide panels and tabletops?

    Yes, with normal precautions: its 1.7:1 tangential-to-radial ratio is moderate. Still fasten solid tops so they can move across their width.

    Similar species

    Loblolly Pine (Southern Yellow) · Port-Orford-Cedar · Douglas-Fir · Slash Pine · Tamarack · Alaska Yellow-Cedar

    Shrinkage, specific gravity, and hardness from the Wood Handbook, FPL-GTR-282 (2021 edition), USDA Forest Products Laboratory (public domain). Values are species averages — individual boards vary with growth conditions and how they were dried.