DIY Knowledge

Kiefer / Pinus sylvestris

Pino

Pin

The pine can be found from Asia across Europe to North America. More than 100 different types are known. Due to its economic importance, frequency and commonness in Europe, we shall only describe the Scots pine or fir (pinus sylvestris), also known as Baltic redwood. In Germany ¼ of the forest area is made up of pine trees which are after the spruce the second most frequent tree there. The Scots pine is a classic light tree which distinguishes itself through very fast growth in its youth (between 25 and 50 years). In the following years, the total tree mass grows only marginally. Under favourable environmental conditions, Scots pines can become up to 300 years old. The Scots pine is a high-stemmed coniferous tree which grows under just about any conditions. In their youth Scots pines have a reddish to yellow-grey bark which turns grey-brown with age. The trunk contains a wide reddish-white sapwood section and a yellowish to red-brown heart which darkens quickly when exposed to light. Here the typically large pitch channels can be seen with the naked eye.

The Scots pine is a high-stemmed coniferous tree which grows under just about any conditions. In their youth Scots pines have a reddish to yellow-grey bark which turns grey-brown with age. The trunk contains a wide reddish-white sapwood section and a yellowish to red-brown heart which darkens quickly when exposed to light. Here the typically large pitch channels can be seen with the naked eye.
Scots pine is a low-priced, easy-to-process wood and is therefore used for many applications. It is medium hard with average shrinkage, flexible and rather stable. Due to its high pitch (resin) content it can easily clog up fine belts with resin during sanding. Its otherwise good gluing stability and surface film formation after varnishing can suffer because of the pitch pockets. Nevertheless, the Scots pine has good technical properties, can be easily sliced, peeled and split.
Pine heartwood is resistant to atmospheric influences and durable as wood in water engineering. Its sapwood is less durable, but in contrast to the heartwood it can be well impregnated and can therefore be used in many other applications.
Pine wood is often used for furniture, interior fittings and decorations, and as structural timber for doors, windows, floors, stairs, panelling and wainscoting. It is also used as sliced veneer in furniture and built-ins, as peeled veneer for veneer boards, and as core wood in table tops.
Its resistance against water makes it a favourite for use in water engineering, bridge construction and ship building. The paper industry could not do without it.
Due to its high resin content, pine wood was used since the middle ages to make torches.