Pine (Hoop)

Material Type:
Softwood

Also Called:
Australian Araucaria, Dorrigo Pino, Arakaria, Colonial Pine, Norfolk Island Pine

Durability Notes:
The heartwood of Hoop Pine is not durable and can be attacked by the hoop pine borer in tropical areas, and by the common furniture beetle. The sapwood is generally permeable for preservative treatment and the heartwood is resistant.

Seasoning:
The drying and seasoning of Pine (Hoop) is dependant on a number of factors; the speed in which it is processed after felling and logging, the method of drying and the specific kilns or location (if air dried). Generally the care taken by those processing the wood will have an impact on its drying and seasoning. As an overview; Pine (Hoop) - dries quickly and well without impact on the grade and quality of the wood, but care is needed to avoid blue stain. Hoop Pine exhibits only a small degree of movement in service. Please note that all wood is liable to move when in service plus there can be dimensional change. The extent of this will depend on; the stability of the species itself, the conditions it is exposed to, the coating, decoration and protection. You will find more information about the suitability of this wood, for any proposed application, by using our interactive system and the filters shown.

Properties:
Hoop pine is a soft, light wood that has medium to low stiffness and bending strength, a medium resistance to shock loads and medium crushing strength. Hoop Pine is not suitable for steam bending. Hoop Pine works easily with both hand and machine tools and has little blunting effect on cutting edges. Cutting edges must be kept very sharp to avoid grain lifting and tearing around knots. The wood nails, screws and glues well and can be brought to a really good finish.

Typical Uses:
Furniture, Flooring, Cabinets, Mouldings, Millwork, Building Construction, Joinery, Shipbuilding.

Moisture Content:
Guide - 10-18% for KD (+/- 2%)

Commonly asked questions about Hoop Pine Wood

Is Hoop Pine a hardwood or a softwood? Hoop Pine is a softwood. It is the same for; is Hoop Pine hardwood or softwood? - Hoop Pine is a softwood.

Most groups/families of species share the same characteristics but this normally relates to their life as plants. Individual species do not always share the same characteristics as their relatives, in terms of the wood. Many factors influence how we use the wood and what we use it for, including where it grows, how it is forested, how it seasons/dries, etc. The answers to the following common questions, therefore relate to this particular species/wood and not the Pine family as a whole. Even more specific – our answers relate to the wood (as we know it) in its form as a useable resource.

What colour is Hoop Pine? Hoop Pine can be described as light brown, white/cream (very light brown), yellow/brown, orange

Is Hoop Pine good for outdoor use? or is Hoop Pine good for exterior use? Hoop Pine is most suited for internal/interior use. Hoop Pine should not be used as an exterior/external timber (without treatment).

Whether the wood is naturally durable or not we would still recommend that it is decorated and/or coated with a suitable product to provide protection and/or maintain its appearance. This even applies when using the wood internally as, even subtle, changes in temperature or humidity will affect the wood. This will depend on the application/purpose of the wood and the user’s desired appearance. We also recommend that a recoating, care and maintenance programme is adhered to, for the life of an exterior wood. Wood cannot rot if it is kept dry – coatings and decoration can provide this protection. All of that said there are many durable timbers that are often left to weather naturally and will last for many years untreated/coated – movement and visual changes will occur but this is sometimes the desired effect. All wood is hygroscopic (it 'wants' to be in tune with its environment) it will therefore take on water from moisture in the air (or when directly exposed to or submerged in water) and ‘release it’ when dry or exposed to heat. This, inevitably, results in movement and dimensional change. For more about moisture in wood please click here - Moisture in wood