Radiata Pine – Pinus Radiata
New Zealand Pine, also known as Radiata Pine, is a medium density softwood suitable for a wide range of applications including packaging, construction (and engineered wood products) and furniture.
It is grown commercially in New Zealand as an exotic species and the majority of plantation forests are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. This means that forest growers have responsibilities to uphold with regards to employment, social, cultural and environmental impacts.
Scientific research into New Zealand Radiata Pine has uncovered an understanding of how a combination of genetic selection and silvicultural practices maximises wood quality. Machining tests show that Radiata Pine compares favourably with other internationally traded timbers. It has a consistent even texture, has good resistance to splitting, accepts nails well and can be treated for all Hazard Class applications (from H1 to H6) and anti-sap stain chemical, Boron, ACQ and CCA.
What are the advantages of using Radiata Pine?
It’s easily modified…
Minimal variation between spring and summer wood within a growth ring confers excellent machining, staining, and painting properties. In addition, the composition of predominately white sapwood means that there is little colour variation between pieces, which is an advantage for finishing of products. A broad range of interior and exterior stains, oils, varnishes and paints may be used on New Zealand pine. The absence of high concentrations of extractives prevents any incompatibility with finishes and eliminates the need for special primers. A very high standard of finishing can be obtained. The wood can be stained to resemble a wide range of traditional timber species.
It’s durable…
New Zealand Pine has unique properties among the world’s wood species in that total treatment of sapwood is always achievable. It is very amenable to manipulation of preservative treatment processes, which are environmentally acceptable and give a consistent standard of treatment. For exterior uses New Zealand pine can be adequately treated by pressure impregnation, double vacuum and simple immersion methods. LOSP treatments are very successful for joinery. Strict hazard class specifications, allow the New Zealand industry to give service life guarantees for external use products.
It’s sustainable…
Radiata Pine grown in New Zealand is adaptable to a broad range of uses. Comprehensive testing has revealed that it has machining properties (cross-cutting, turning, planning, moulding, boring, sanding) are equal or superior to many of the internationally traded softwoods. Fast growth does not adversely affect its working properties and good results can be obtained with all types of hand and machine tools. A combination of uniform medium density and even texture result in a good resistance to splitting which enables the use of nailing in addition to screws and other jointing systems. Low extractive’s content also allows the achievement of sound glued connections i.e. dowels and finger-joints. The uses of New Zealand Radiata Pine include: structural building, industrial construction, pallets & packaging, interior fittings and fixtures, windows, doors, frames, mouldings, cabinetry, furniture, lamination, MDF, ply etc.
