Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pine is a wonderful tree. For years we thought it was only good for firewood, and now we know different. It is a very durable and strong wood very much comparable to Douglas Fir in strength and fastener holding ability.
We have found Lodgepole Pine to be a very misunderstood wood. We have just recently started exploring the possibilities it has to offer for more than just pole furniture.
Lodgepole is one of those trees that loves the very thing which finally takes its life, it grows primarily in wet areas like seasonal wetlands of the high country. Although they will grow elsewhere most of the time the biggest stands are in these areas of pour drainage.
Lodgepole has some of the most wonderful features right under the bark and that being color and worm trails. If you wait for just the right time to peal the bark what awaits is priceless, beautiful golden bands mixed with blue and black and a symphony of meandering grooves.
The grain of the wood is no less impressive and can range from white, blue, to red. The blue and red are indicators of acellularbreakdown but if caught in time it can be used for an appearance advantage with little structural integrity loss in furniture.
Lodgepole Pine is a tree that seems to set itself up for big changes. It grows rapidly in marshy areas then dies only to become ladder fuel for fires. The picture to the left depicts the typical leaning Lodgepole in a stand of trees. It is pretty easy to envision a fire running up one of these to take off in the crowns. We look for these trees and take them down.
One more example of resource reclaimation paving a way to a healthier forest.
Please check out the links below to find out more about Lodgepole Pine Trees.
