Whitewood vs Pine Compared For All Uses: What Is Whitewood & How To Use

Image Credit: 12138562O¹⁷

Facts About Tulip Trees

The Tulip tree, sometimes known as the Tulip poplar,⁹ gets its name from the distinctive shape of its flowers which actually takes 15 to 20 years for its first flower to blossom, then they burst forth every spring thereafter.

(Image: Arkin54¹²)

It attains a height of 60-160 feet, growing approximately 25 inches per year at first and then slowing down to about 13 to 24 inches per year after that depending on the local conditions.

At its apex, it will have a wide pyramidal crown of leaves that can extend outwards up to 50 feet. Now, although not reaching the heights of 200 feet as some pine trees do, it is nevertheless an impressive sight.

It is deciduous in nature and drops its leaves in the winter right after they turn golden.

This is a sight to behold in the wild open forest, but in a front yard, it can be a tad messy and sticky as the tree secretes a sap that adheres to absolutely everything it drips onto.

This secretion is caused by an infestation of tiny aphids that feed on the leaves and stems,³ and the sticky honeydew sap is the result of their voracious feeding that can decimate the tree.

If left unchecked, a build-up of mold can occur which can accelerate diseases and fungal infections. Pruning and spraying with insecticide are the solutions to maintain the tree in a healthy state.

As the leaves and flowers wither and fall, small brown cones sprout in their stead to fill out their bare branches, and as winter deepens they crack open and release the seeds that are then whisked away on the wind.

Amazingly, these impressive trees can live up to 300 years and a forest full of these giants is a sight to behold.

Their solid trunks stretching skywards are smooth when the tree is young, the bark becomes deeply fissured and morphs into dark brown as the tree ages.

This thick bark helps to protect the valuable whitewood within from the elements, which is good if the tree is going to be harvested.

And in its place? A fresh new tulip seed settles into the vacated place, quickly setting down deep roots and reaching for the sky from day one to repeat the process that began hundreds of years previously.

It’s important to note that when hardwood trees like this are used for furniture and lumber, they retain much of the carbon they store.

White Woods Lumber (White Wood)

Not all white wood is whitewood. The same can be said not all softwoods are softwood.⁷

Many timber yards have a tendency to classify cheap timber generally as whitewood without any markings to differentiate what tree the lumber has come from, while others have grade markings on them such as SPF (White Pine, Douglas Fir, or Spruce), SYF (Pine & Fir), or SYP (Southern Yellow Pine).

SPF is the most common, but even these white woods differ slighter from each other in weight, cost, composition, look, and even density.

For example, the SYP is capable of spanning greater lengths than SPF lumber due to its composition of 4 different types of pine, Loblolly, Shortleaf, Longleaf, and Slash. This densely compacted length of timber is also much heavier, stronger, and ideal for solid construction purposes as greater distances can be spanned without additional structural supports required beneath it.

For this reason, when the decision rests between whitewood vs pine and a more solid construction is required, pine is the preferred option out of the two and, even though it is more expensive, can work out to be more economical as less lumber can be used on the project.

White Wood Species

Due to these SPF, SYF, and SYP classifications, a certain amount of confusion can arise when shopping for whitewood.

The important factor to remember is that although SPF, SYF, and SYP are used extensively in stores and lumber yards, they are not true whitewoods, deriving their title from their generic composition from fir, pine, spruce as well as other species of trees.

These are known as regional whitewoods, while authentic whitewood lumber comes from the tulip tree.

To the untrained eye it can be difficult to tell the difference between whitewood vs pine and when shopping for whitewood care has to be taken to ensure the lumber you purchase is the one you were looking for.

If opting for either of the white woods, consult with the lumber yard to ascertain which one is right for you as the densest one is so tough it takes a little bit more effort even to bang a nail into it, it’s that strong.

Whitewood vs Pine (Whitewood vs Pine Compared for All Uses)

Generally, one of the first tell-tale signs is that a length of whitewood will have more knots in it than pine,² but this may not be immediately apparent unless the two lengths of timber are placed side by side.

The Janka scale is a method of measuring the density of wood by firing a ball bearing into it to evaluate its capacity for resistance to damage, and wear and tear. Pine is marginally better on the scale but not significantly so.

In essence, if a Janka rating is measured as quite high, the harder classification that wood will have, and actually the hardest wood has been rated at an incredible 3680 on the Janka scale.

Whitewood and some types of pine trees are fast growers so they are both used for various endeavors extensively so deciding between whitewood vs. pine will come down to the construction project to be undertaken.

What Is Whitewood Used For? (What Is Pine Used For?)

Because it is not particularly water resistant, whitewood is recommended for mainly indoor use to make tables, chairs, and other types of indoor furniture.

It is also known for making items such as those below because it is light yet strong, soft, and easy to work with

• Pallets
• Crates
• Furniture frames
• Paper
• Plywood
• Doors
• Handles

When in-store and deciding whether to choose between whitewood vs pine, pine is better suited for big construction purposes and rustic furnishings outside as it has a greater weather-resistant capacity.

(Image: 652234¹⁴)

Due to its resistance to warping, its durability, attractiveness, and lack of shrinkage, pine is also used to make other common objects.

• Flooring
• Shelves
• Ceiling beams
• Sheathing
• Cabinets
• Interior trim
• Strong boxes
• Poles
• Veneer

When deciding whether to use whitewood vs pine for your project, consider how the lumber will be used, and what its purpose will be, bearing in mind that whitewood is generally 50% weaker than pine and not as sturdy over longer distances.

Whitewood and the Outdoors

Care needs to be taken when making whitewood furniture for outdoor use as, basically, this type of lumber does not like water, especially if it is untreated.

Even furniture fabricated from pressure-treated whitewood needs to be protected overhead from the elements.⁴

And if the furniture is placed on concrete, it is advisable to use a sealant to prevent any water penetration or moisture to seep in that would otherwise cause the wood to rot.

If situated in a location where it will be assaulted even sporadically by rainfall irrespective of the wind direction, it will only be a matter of time before your finely crafted table or bench will start to warp and twist.

Because it is susceptible to moisture, whitewood furniture outside will require more maintenance than pine so don’t believe that a thicker coat of sealant will act as an impenetrable barrier, as that small nugget of hope felt for a job well done will quickly be engulfed by disappointment.

Consider all the pros and cons of whitewood vs pine, but for outdoor furniture, pine is the better option.

Cutting Whitewood

One of the benefits of working with whitewood is that it is very versatile and easy to work with. The drawback of working with whitewood is that it is not easy to cut.

Its popularity comes because its softness allows it to be fashioned into small items, while its strength allows it to be made into beds, cupboards, and tables.

(Image: Ono Kosuki¹⁴)

Unfortunately, just using a hand saw to get the job done isn’t going to cut it, so to speak.

Without the right tools, cutting a straight line is going to be a lesson in frustration, as many woodworking enthusiasts have learned after struggling to cut clean lines through the many knots they run encounter.

The solution is to use a table or hand band saw that will slice through the knots with ease and keep your project straight and narrow.

Finishing Whitewood and Finishing Pine (Whitewood vs Pine)

Whitewood vs pine stack up fairly equally when it comes to absorbing paint and being stained, both leaving a smooth finish.

But there are some buyers who prefer the natural light color of these woods to brighten an interior space without any coloring, applying just a clear finishing coat to protect the surfaces from markings.¹

Alternatively, for those woodworking enthusiasts that want to either paint or stain the surfaces, something needs to be done as whitewood and pine are too smooth to the touch to just slap a coat of paint on.

So, to ensure that paint or varnish will adhere properly, the surfaces need to be roughened up a bit with fine sandpaper to create a texture, and then acetone rubbed into the surface to open the pores further before another round of sanding.

(Image: Ono Kosuki¹⁵)

A mixture of acetone and paint is then recommended as a base coat, and then when that has dried the final coat of paint can be applied.

If staining the wood is preferred, a different method needs to be undertaken as the wood has a tendency to absorb stains quickly and unevenly and can leave behind an unsightly finish.

After the surface has been lightly sanded what is required, is for a pre-staining product to be used to even out some of the open cells in the wood so the stain will dry uniformly.

Generally, more than one coat will be required and it is important to note that for both whitewood vs pine, whether opting for paint or staining, that is better to use a water-based product rather than an oil-based one as the surfaces are more accepting and will give a more satisfying finish.

An actual advantage of whiteboard and pine absorbing stains so readily is that they also absorb them deeply. This adds a deep richness that won’t wear or fade easily even when abrasives are used to smooth away any blemishes.

Burning Whitewood and Pine

One of the best firewoods to throw on the bonfire or on the barbecue is the Australian pine. Any other type of pine wood should be avoided unless your intention is to send out smoke signals.

When it comes to burning whitewood vs pine, pine is resinous and consequently emits plumes of thick, sooty smoke when set on fire. Not only does this smoke cling to surfaces but it is also very dangerous if breathed in for any length of time and can cause long-term health issues.

(Image: Jason Leung¹⁶)

Whitewood is not resinous but is still not a perfect firewood for burning as it does,⁸ similarly to pine, burn out very quickly.

Moreover, when burned, the carbon stored in the wood is released back into the atmosphere.

Comparing Whitewood Vs Pine Wood for Projects

What makes whitewood so good?

It is not just that it is such a versatile piece of timber that can create small, delicate pieces as well as large, sturdy items, but that it is extremely beneficial for the planet and climate change.

Tulip trees, after being harvested, have the advantage of regrowing incredibly quickly compared to other tree species without having weak spots.

This achievement marks whitewood as an invaluable renewable resource for woodworkers at competitive prices, and as a sustainable resource in the fight against carbon emissions and global warming.

It’s great to use for:

• Furniture Frames
• Plywood
• Small Carpentry Projects
• Interior Doors

When it comes to carbon sequestration, the bigger the tree the greater the ability to absorb carbon dioxide, to subtract it from the air. But another important factor is growth, of which the tulip tree is a species leader.

When one tree is cut down, the one planted in its stead reaches maturity, growing 25 feet a year very quickly when compared to other tree species that average between 4 to 10 feet a year.

When considering carbon sequestration, an average tree that grows quickly can sequester about 70 pounds of carbon a year, while a Pinyon Pine tree, which is a slow grower, will barely grab 20 pounds of carbon a year out of the atmosphere.

There are different types of pine trees, such as Loblolly and Scotch pines, that are faster growers and coincidentally these are the two types incorporated into SPF whitewoods.

So how does the tulip tree compare?

Out of all the species of trees when it comes to carbon sequestration, the tulip tree is a superstar, combating the effects of global warming by hoovering up a whopping 137 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

Whitewood vs Pine Pros and Cons

The head-to-head comparison features to consider when deciding between whitewood vs pine is not exactly as straightforward as it first appears.

Pine is best used for more utilitarian functions, such as structural framing, although it can be effectively used for some furniture.

The pros and cons easily swing back and forth into both columns despite the fact that whitewood comes from the tulip tree and the “imitation” whitewood is made from different types of pine trees, spruce, and fir trees.⁵

Essentially it can depend on whether the intended product is for indoor or outdoor usage, the cost of the project, whether it is going to be a large or a delicate item, whether flexibility is required, and also how solid the construction needs to be for longevity.

Understanding the comparison between whitewood vs pine can help you choose the best type of wood for your next eco-friendly project.

Frequently Asked Questions About Whitewood vs Pine