Radiata pine: a perfect plantation timber.

Radiata pine is a softwood of the Family Pinaceae, a native Californian with a very limited growing area in the United States but a far-reaching growing area around the world. This pine, which is also grown commercially on plantations, is distinguished as the most often planted soft-wood in warm and temperate climates. Its growth area includes California, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile.

The secret to radiata pine's phenomenal success as a transplant is its amazing ability to grow quickly. Its average height is 100 feet, with 1 to 2 foot diameters, although the tree can grow to as high as 197 feet with 6 1/2 foot diameters. In its prime growing areas, radiata pine can reach its mature height in roughly 20 years. Most of what is sold on the commercial market is plantation grown.

The story of radiata pine begins in California where Pinus radiata is known as Monterey pine. Donald Culross Peattie, in his book "A Natural History of Western Trees," writes "Probably no other American tree, certainly no western conifer, has been so abundantly planted all over the world as Monterey pine." While radiata pine originated in the United States, it is one of the non-commercial species of pine native to the U.S. Almost all of its adopted homes rate it as one of their best market timbers, although Monterey or insignis pine is very popular strictly as an ornamental tree in England, the Mediterranean and in North Africa.

Monterey pine earned its name because the chief native growing is in two small areas of the Monterey peninsula and in Cambria, Calif.

Replacement for ponderosa

Dennis Wood, president of the Radiata Source, a sales organization, and CEO of Radiata Components (NZ) Ltd., a manufacturer of radiata pine components in Dunedin, New Zealand, with U.S. offices in Bangor, Wis., said radiata pine has grown steadily as a replacement in the United States for ponderosa pine.

"Radiata pine competes with ponderosa pine very well. Three to four years ago, if you mentioned radiata pine here, you would probably have had to explain what it is. Today, people request it by name and actively seek it," he said. Wood gets all of his supplies from New Zealand plantations.

New Zealand major grower

Wood said that radiata pine, "made its way to New Zealand almost accidentally about 135 to 140 years ago, when someone took a seedling of it there, planted it and astounded the growers for its ability to grow so quickly. At some point during the depression, New Zealanders started extensive planting of various trees, among them ponderosa pine, redwood and larch. Radiata pine outperformed all the rest by head and shoulders."

"It is not only a good timber tree, but planting it has taken care of erosion problems there, too," said Wood. He added that radiata pine is used most often in the door and window industry and also for moulding.

The New Zealand Forest Owners Assn. reports that in 1993, some 65,000 hectares were added to the plantation-grown supplies of radiata or New Zealand pine, as it is known there. By 1994 they hope to add another 100,000 hectares, so that by the year 2010, New Zealand pine forests will be producing 25 million tons of wood annually.

According to the New Zealand Ministry of Forestry, the New Zealand planted forest area is 1.31 million hectares with a "scope for a further 5 million hectares to be planted in trees. Radiata pine is the dominant forest species, making up 90 percent of plantings. The resource is characterized by predominantly young crops with over 60 percent age 15 years or less."

South American harvest

Radiata pine has an interesting history in Chile. At the end of the 19th century, the seeds of radiata pine were sowed with other conifers. The quick-growing radiata pine surprised the planters who were expecting to see other softwoods.

Chile is one of the favorable climates for radiata pine. Plantation-grown trees have quick rotations of 16 to 25 years. According to the Chilean Forest Export Guide, industrial plantations with radiata pine have increased roughly 12 percent for the period from 1990-1992 over the period 1974-1989, and more than tripled the annual average of plantations from 1960-1973.

The commercial timber has a wide pale sapwood with a smaller pink-brown heartwood and a very even and uniform texture. Genetic improvements have re-suited in trees that are almost knot-free and combine top physical and mechanical properties, according to the Chilean Forest Export Guide. Today, much of the furniture manufactured in Chile is made from radiata pine.

Multiple use wood

Radiata pine has a variety of uses. Special grades are used for furniture and interior joinery as well as for paneling. It is used most widely for building and structural uses, including laminated structural elements, trusses, ceilings, exteriors with preservative treatment, planking, pulp, paper, fencing, floors and cladding, boxes, packing crates and general turnery.

Logs are rotary cut for plywood, core-stock and particleboard. Some radiata pine is also sliced for decorative veneers.

Radiata pine has good absorption properties and is ideal for preservative treatment by immersion, which extends it uses.

Family Names

Pinus radiata of the Family Pinaceae

Other Names

Radiata pine, Monterey pine, insignis pine, New Zealand pine

Height/Weight

Weight averages 30 pounds per cubic foot. Height is 100 feet with diameters of 1- to 2-feet.

Properties

Wood dries rapidly with little degrade. Recommended kiln drying not to exceed 80 |degrees~ C. Wood has low bending strength and stiffness, medium crushing strength and shock resistance. Works well with hand and machine tools. Holds screws and nails very well.