Radiata Pine

A Californian pine with a tiny natural range that became the most widely planted plantation softwood in the southern hemisphere.

Perché è importante?

Radiata is the clearest demonstration that softwood supply is now an agricultural decision rather than a geographic one. Rotations of 25 to 30 years, uniform logs and plantations sited for export have made New Zealand and Chile into major log and lumber suppliers to Asia.

Where it grows

Almost entirely planted, and almost none of it where the species is native: New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Spain and South Africa.

What it is used for

Framing (treated), plywood and panels, pulp, mouldings, export logs.

What to watch

Fast growth means wide rings, large knots and low density, so much of it is finger-jointed, laminated or treated to make a consistent product. It accepts preservative readily.