Pine, Caribbean

Caribbean pine is a durable and easily workable softwood widely used for construction, engineering and decorative purposes.

Other Names

Pinus Hodurensis, Yellow Pine, Caribaea Pine, Caribbean Longleaf, Pitch Pine, British Honduras Pine, Bahamas Pine, Nicaraguan Pitch Pine, Bastard Pine

Botanical Name

Pinus Caribaea

Common Form
Sawn
Species Type

Caribbean pine is a softwood widely used for construction, flooring, playground furniture and cladding. Other applications include the production of plywood, wood wool and paper products. The timber is also widely used for engineering purposes, such as power poles and piles. It is the second most widely planted species in Queensland, and is also planted in northern New South Wales, and is readily available in those states; it is also imported from Fiji.

The heartwood of Caribbean pine is yellow to golden brown, and its sapwood is usually noticeably paler. Its texture is rather coarse and uneven, with latewood and earlywood forming uneven bands, and the grain is usually straight. Knots are present in construction grades. There is a marked difference in colour between earlywood and latewood, which results in a pronounced figure when back sawn. It has a strong resin content and odour, and the resin can lead to problems when the timber is glued and sawn. 

Caribbean pine has a low degree of durability above and below ground, and although the sapwood can be treated with preservatives, the heartwood will not readily take preservatives. The timber is termite resistant and the sapwood is not prone to lyctid attack. 

Shrinkage

Very Low Low Medium High Very High
Check mark Check mark

Tangential : Provides a simplified rating for tangential shrinkage. This is the measure of the percentage reduction in dimension from the unseasoned to 12% moisture content condition.

5.00%

Radial : Radial shrinkage is perpendicular to the growth rings. It is shrinkage in the direction towards the centre of the tree. Measurement is % value

2.00%

Unit Movement Tangential: This is the percentage of dimensional change for each 1% moisture content change between about 3% moisture content and the fibre saturation point for the particular species.

0.34%

Unit Movement Radial: This is the percentage of dimensional change for each 1% moisture content change between about 3% moisture content and the fibre saturation point for the particular species.

Strength Group Strength groups are given for unseasoned (S1-S7) and seasoned (SD1-SD8) timber in accordance with AS 2878. S1 and SD1 yield the highest strength and stiffness whereas S7 and SD8 yield the lowest.

Very High

High

Reasonably High

Medium High

Medium

Reasonably Low

Low

Very Low

Unseasoned:

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

S6

S7

S8

Check mark

Seasoned:

SD1

SD2

SD3

SD4

SD5

SD6

SD7

SD8

Check mark

Stress Grade A stress grade is defined in AS 1720 as the classification of timber for structural purposes by means of either visual or machine grading. The stress grade indicates the basic working stresses and stiffnesses to be used for structural design purposes. Measured in MPa.

Structural
No. 1
Structural
No. 2
Structural
No. 3
Structural
No. 4
Structural
No. 5

Unseasoned:

F8

F7

F5

F4

Seasoned:

F14

F11

F8

F7

F5

Density per Standard Seasoned density is based on moisture content of 12%. Unseasoned density is an approximation as it depends on the moisture content at the time of measurement. Measured kg/m3.

Seasoned:

575kg/m3

Unseasoned:

1020kg/m3

Joint Group The joint group is a classification of the strength of a species in joint design. The values are from 1 (very high strength) to 6 (very low strength).

Very High

High

Reasonably High

Medium

Low

Very Low

Unseasoned:

J1

J2

J3

J4

J5

J6

Check mark

Seasoned:

JD1

JD2

JD3

JD4

JD5

JD6

Check mark

Colour The colour of seasoned heartwood can vary between species and often within a species. The information provided should be used as a general guide only. In most cases, the colour of sapwood is either a lighter shade of the heartwood or a white/cream colour.

  White, yellow, pale straw to light brown Pink to pink brown Light to dark red Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky
   
Check mark

Mechanical Properties

Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: This property is a measure of maximum stress which timber can momentarily sustain when loaded slowly and continuously as a beam. Measured in MPa.

69

Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: This property is a measure of maximum stress which timber can momentarily sustain when loaded slowly and continuously as a beam. Measured in MPa.

105

Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: This property is of importance in determining the deflection of a beam under load — the greater the stiffness, the less the deflection. Measured in GPa.

12

Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: This property is of importance in determining the deflection of a beam under load — the greater the stiffness, the less the deflection. Measured in GPa.

14

Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned:

Also referred to as compression strength. This property measures the ability of the timber to withstand loads applied on the end grain. Measured in MPa.

33

Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: Also referred to as compression strength. This property measures the ability of the timber to withstand loads applied on the end grain. Measured in MPa.

55

Impact - Unseasoned: Provides the Izod value, which is the energy taken in joules (J) to fracture the timber.

27

Impact - Seasoned: Provides the Izod value, which is the energy taken in joules (J) to fracture the timber.

17

Toughness - Unseasoned: This is a measure of timber’s ability to resist shocks and blows, and is synonymous with impact strength. It is measured in Nm.

Toughness - Seasoned: This is a measure of timber’s ability to resist shocks and blows, and is synonymous with impact strength. It is measured in Nm.

Hardness - Unseasoned: Refers to the Janka hardness test and is a measure of timber’s resistance to indentation.

2.7

Hardness - Seasoned: Refers to the Janka hardness test and is a measure of timber’s resistance to indentation.

5.1

Durability

Low Moderate Reasonably High High
(0 - 5 yrs) (5 - 15 yrs) (15 - 25 yrs) (more than 25 yrs)

In-Ground: Durability is defined as the inherent resistance of a timber species to decay, or to insect or marine borer attack. All references to durability refer to the heartwood only. A scale of low to high (durability class 4 = low; 1 = high) has been adapted for above and in-ground durability.

Check mark
(0 - 7 yrs) (7 - 15 yrs) (15 - 40 yrs) (More than 40 yrs)

Above ground: Durability is defined as the inherent resistance of a timber species to decay, or to insect or marine borer attack. All references to durability refer to the heartwood only. A scale of low to high (durability class 4 = low; 1 = high) has been adapted for above and in-ground durability.

Check mark
(0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) (21 - 40 yrs) (41 - 64 yrs) (More than 60 yrs)

Marine Borer Resistance: Indicates whether a species is resistant (R) or not resistant (NR) to marine borer attack.

Check mark

Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: Indicates whether a species is susceptible (S) or not susceptible (NS) to lyctid borer attack.

Not Susceptible

Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other:

Termite Resistance: Indicates whether a species is resistant (R) or not resistant (NR) to termites.

Resistant

Fire Properties

1 - non-combustible 2 - reasonably non-combustible 3 - slightly combustible 4 - combustible

Fire Properties Group
Number:

Group Number - Other:

3 if used on MDF or particleboard ≥12mm; veneer thickness 0.6-0.85mm

Average Specific Extinction Area: This value is determined by the volume of smoke measured over the mass loss of the tested sample per test carried out in accordance with ‘Cone Calorimeter Test’ AS/NZS 3837. It is measured in units of m2/kg.

<250

Bushfire Resistance: Naturally bushfire-resisting timbers are those with inherent bushfire-resisting properties. Some species have been tested and a number are in the process of being tested and are measured by Bushfire Attack level (BAL).
BAL -12.5: Ember attack,
BAL – 19: Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 12.5 and 19 kWm3,
BAL – 29: Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 19 and 29 kWm3.

BAL 12.5 and 19 - All AS 3959 Required Applications
Appearance

The sapwood of Caribbean pine is pale and the heartwood is yellow to golden brown. The grain is usually straight, though knots are present in construction grades, and the texture is somewhat coarse and uneven. A pronounced difference in colour between earlywood and latewood results in a very distinctive figure when back sawn.

Common Applications

Caribbean pine is widely used for engineering purposes, such as power poles and piles; construction purposes such as flooring, framing, laminated beams, cladding and decking, and playground equipment; and for decorative purposes including furniture, plywood, turnery and joinery. It is also used in the production of paper products and wood wool.

Workability

Caribbean pine is rated 5 to 4 on a 6 class scale - soft to firm - for indentation and facility of working with hand tools. When the timber is being dressed sharp planer blades are required to avoid compression of the softer earlywood and the ridged surfaces that result. Resin can be problem when sawing. Nails may at times follow the growth rings from deflection by latewood bands; good results can be obtained with nail guns. The timber glues satisfactorily, but absorbs glue differently depending on whether it is early- or latewood, though this mostly doesn't cause problems. It can be painted, stained and polished easily, though care has to be taken to avoid timber with high resin content.

Caribbean pine is a native of Central America, Cuba and the Bahamas.
Readily Available
VIC
Caribbean pine is readily available as sawn timber in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Source of timber
Plantation
a deck with a pool and a deck with a couch and a bench

Decking

Timber decking creates spaces that are functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing. With the right design and care a timber deck will make a valuable addition to any home or business, creating an outdoor living space that will be enjoyed for years to come.
a close-up of a building

Cladding, External

The natural appeal, versatility and strength of timber makes it the superior choice for external cladding. Through specification, planning, design and finishing processes, timber cladding not only creates a building of superior strength, acoustic and thermal performance but also creates a place of beauty, style and natural appeal.
a room with tables and chairs

Structural Timber Poles

Timber poles are utilised in structural construction to provide support for gravity loads and resistance against lateral forces. Not only serving a structural function, timber poles provide many aesthetic benefits, with their use in construction often complementing architectural designs aimed at harmonisation with the natural environment.
a house under construction with a roof

Framing

Since people began building simple shelters, wooden framing has played an important role in shaping structures of many kinds. One of the most popular types of wooden framing is known as lightweight timber construction.
a room with benches and paintings on the wall

Flooring

The warmth, strength and natural beauty of timber flooring is enduringly popular in a wide variety of domestic, commercial and industrial applications.

Are you looking for a supplier?

Start Your Search

Social Media Feeds