What is Jack Pine used for?

Framing, sheathing, pallets, crates, railroad ties, utility poles, pulpwood

How hard is Jack Pine wood?

Jack Pine has a Janka hardness rating of 850 lbf, making it a softer wood.

Is Jack Pine good for outdoor use?

The listed untreated outdoor suitability is limited. The listed heartwood decay rating is non-durable; sapwood can behave differently. Drainage, drying, treatment where required and the specific application matter. Hardness alone does not establish decay resistance.

What does Jack Pine wood look like?

Jack Pine features a light yellowish white to pale orange-brown; moderate heartwood-sapwood contrast coloration with straight grain with a medium texture; moderate number of knots grain patterns.

Softwood • Domestic Species

Jack Pine Wood Guide 2026

Pinus banksiana

Prepared by Lumberama's Wood Species Team

|Sources & methodology

Last updated September 2026 · Reviewed by Lumberama Wood Species Team

Jack Pine is a hardy Northern softwood that thrives in poor, sandy soils where other species struggle. It is commercially grouped with other pines in the SPF lumber category and used primarily for framing, sheathing, and utility-grade construction. Jack Pine is lighter and weaker than Southern Yellow Pine but grows abundantly across the Great Lakes region and Canadian boreal forest, making it a reliable, affordable construction timber.

Market Price Range

$2.00 – $5.00

per board foot

Domestic softwood. Used in framing and pulpwood.

Prices are approximate market ranges and vary by grade, width, thickness, and region. Request a quote for current pricing.

Wood Appearance

Natural Grain

Finished Surface

Key Takeaways

Density: 27 lbs/ft³
Classification: Softwood
Origin: United States (Great Lakes states), Canada
Price: ~$2.5 per board foot
Common uses include Framing, sheathing, pallets

Quick Facts

Janka Hardness

850 lbf

Density

27 lbs/ft³

Wood Type

Softwood

Origin

United States (Great Lakes states), Canada

Price Range

$2.5/bf

SoftHard

Representative reference values — natural wood varies by growing region, moisture content and individual board.

Durability, Stability & Workability

Decay resistance

Non-Durable

Outdoor suitability

Limited

Dimensional stability

Good

Texture: Medium to fine texture with uniform grain.

Workability: Easy to machine, glue, and nail.

Fastening: Nails and screws well; pre-drilling generally not required.

Finishing: Takes paint and stain well.

Color change: Slight yellowing over time.

Insect resistance: Susceptible to decay and wood-boring insects.

Ratings and published values are representative reference figures. Natural wood varies with growing region, moisture content and individual boards — treat them as guidance, not guarantees.

Common Sizes & Availability

Typical market availability for Jack Pine. Lumberama is a sourcing marketplace — actual stock, widths and lengths vary by supplier. Request a quote to confirm what's available for your project.

Commonly available rough hardwood thicknesses for Jack Pine
Thickness	Rough	Typical surfaced	Typical widths	Common lengths
8/4	2"	1-3/4"	Commonly sold in nominal 2x4 through 2x12 dimensions.	Random lengths typically available from 8 to 20 feet.	Request this size

8/4rough 2"
Surfaced
1-3/4"
Widths
Commonly sold in nominal 2x4 through 2x12 dimensions.
Lengths
Random lengths typically available from 8 to 20 feet.
Request this size →

Availability notes: Widely available in North America for construction.

How lumber sizes are described

Rough (4/4, 8/4…): Hardwood thickness in quarters of an inch as sawn, before surfacing. 4/4 = 1" rough.
Surfaced (S2S/S4S): Thickness after planing. 4/4 typically finishes at 13/16" or 3/4".
Nominal vs. actual: Construction lumber is sold by nominal size; a 2x6 measures about 1-1/2" x 5-1/2".
Random width / length: Most hardwood is sold as it comes from the log — widths and lengths vary within a range rather than being fixed.

Color & Grain

Color: Light yellowish white to pale orange-brown; moderate heartwood-sapwood contrast

Grain: Straight grain with a medium texture; moderate number of knots

Common Uses

Framing
sheathing
pallets
crates
railroad ties
utility poles
pulpwood

Key Characteristics

Also known as: Banksiana Pine, Scrub Pine, Gray Pine, Black Pine

Availability: In Stock

Advantages

Janka indentation hardness: 850 lbf
Heartwood decay rating: Non-Durable
Sourced from United States (Great Lakes states), Canada
Affordable pricing

Considerations

Hardness does not establish decay resistance or structural design strength

Frequently Asked Questions

Alternatives to Consider

Species commonly specified for similar applications when Jack Pine is unavailable or over budget.

Lodgepole Pine480 lbf Janka
Red Pine
Eastern White Pine

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Jack Pine Wood Guide 2026

Market Price Range

Wood Appearance

Key Takeaways

Quick Facts

Durability, Stability & Workability

Common Sizes & Availability

Color & Grain

Common Uses

Key Characteristics

Advantages

Considerations

Frequently Asked Questions

Alternatives to Consider

Related Species

Alaska Yellow Cedar

Aromatic Red Cedar

Atlantic White Cedar

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