The Characteristics of Heart Pine

Some of the unique characteristics of historic reclaimed wood are:

Heart wood: Harvested from the virgin forests of the new world, these trees produced the very best in materials for furniture and home furnishing. The high density of the grain yields wood that is as hard as today’s oak but tests have shown it to be a third more stable is and is therefore a superior flooring material.

Checking: Small lines and cracks that occur across the woods grain pattern.

Pitch pockets: Areas of pine resin concentration.

Rays: Ribbon like figure which runs across the grain patterns.

Small cracks: Small delaminations running along growth ring intersections.

Colors: Historic reclaimed longleaf heart pine ranges from dark rich amber to various shades of golden yellow. When the heartwood is first cut however, there are occasionally sections that contain rays of light yellow. This is where oxygen could not get to that part of the heart. After cutting and exposure to light and oxygen, this section will continue to darken and take on the characteristics hue of heartwood.
It should be noted that pine, by its nature, is photo-reactive. This means that exposure to light causes it to darken and yellow. Depending on the amount of light, this darkening, especially in the areas of lighter grain, will be rapid at first, but will slow down until it is almost imperceptible. If desired, a floor finish that has UV inhibitors, will slow this process down.

These unique features in no way diminishes the quality and long term durability of your flooring, but are in fact features that have defined many of the most treasured historic dwellings in our land.

Each of our products measures these “characteristics” along with other such features of reclaimed heart pine such as nail holes, hand tool marks, and size and number of knots. This can produce a remarkable variety of appearances to all flooring from the most contemporary to the most rustic.

Our section process of the woods is done in close consultation with our customers to ensure that your masterpiece floor will add to your pride in your home.


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	The Characteristics of Heart Pine Some of the unique characteristics of historic reclaimed wood are: Heart wood: Harvested from the virgin forests of the new world, these trees produced the very best in materials for furniture and home furnishing. The high density of the grain yields wood that is as hard as today’s oak but tests have shown it to be a third more stable is and is therefore a superior flooring material. Checking: Small lines and cracks that occur across the woods grain pattern. Pitch pockets: Areas of pine resin concentration. Rays: Ribbon like figure which runs across the grain patterns. Small cracks: Small delaminations running along growth ring intersections. Colors: Historic reclaimed longleaf heart pine ranges from dark rich amber to various shades of golden yellow. When the heartwood is first cut however, there are occasionally sections that contain rays of light yellow. This is where oxygen could not get to that part of the heart. After cutting and exposure to light and oxygen, this section will continue to darken and take on the characteristics hue of heartwood. It should be noted that pine, by its nature, is photo-reactive. This means that exposure to light causes it to darken and yellow. Depending on the amount of light, this darkening, especially in the areas of lighter grain, will be rapid at first, but will slow down until it is almost imperceptible. If desired, a floor finish that has UV inhibitors, will slow this process down. These unique features in no way diminishes the quality and long term durability of your flooring, but are in fact features that have defined many of the most treasured historic dwellings in our land. Each of our products measures these “characteristics” along with other such features of reclaimed heart pine such as nail holes, hand tool marks, and size and number of knots. This can produce a remarkable variety of appearances to all flooring from the most contemporary to the most rustic. Our section process of the woods is done in close consultation with our customers to ensure that your masterpiece floor will add to your pride in your home.