Tree Species
nordic conifers
Two main species
The wood species mainly used by the sawmill industry are pine and spruce. Half of Finland’s forests are pine forests and about a third are spruce forests. The characteristics of the trunk are affected by the age of the tree, the place of growth, the growth rate and the climate. The tree’s distinct annual rings tell of its growth. The lighter, sparse annual ring is spring wood, dark summer wood.
Spruce
Spruce, Picea abies, thrives on shady, nutritious lands and can grow up to 40 meters in length. Spruce is straight, lightweight and withstands moisture fluctuations well. Its heart and surface wood are light in color. Spruce is a popular wood in interior and exterior structures as well as in various paneling and boarding.
pine
The pine, Pinus sylvestris, grows in bright, dry, even barren places. Like a spruce, it can grow up to 40 meters in length. Pine wood is hard and rigid and withstands moderate humidity fluctuations. In pine, the heartwood is dark, the surface wood is light in color. Pine is used in the construction and carpentry industries, among others.
visual & technical
Differences between the species
Pine and spruce are the most common coniferous tree species used in construction.
There are both visual and technical differences between tree species, which also make their uses different.
Spruce
Trunk parts and applications.
properties of spruce
Large proportion of heartwood, surface wood penetrates little water
Straight grains
Few resin cavities, usually less than 40 mm in size
Long part of healthy branches in the trunk
Short dry-branched section, dry branches are small in size
Healthy branches of the same color as other wood
effects in use
Does not twist easily, withstands moisture in facades
The grains do not arise during the treatment
Good adhesive and surface treatment properties
Knots in the timber are usually healthy
Little edging in the lumber, planable
The surface of the lumber is evenly lght in color
pine
Trunk parts and applications.
properties of pine
The heartwood is impermeable to water
The surface wood is very permeable to water
Resin evenly in the wood
Long branchless part in the trunk
The dry-branched trunk also contains healthy branches
The basal tree is denser than the top tree
The wood density of the branch is low, the branch grows at right angles to the core of the trunk
effects in use
Inherent rot and insect resistance
Good saturability, suitable for outdoor use
Protects wood from moisture and heat
Surface and side boards low-branched / branchless
The inner inserts of medium goods are usually healthy
The sawn timber from the base is strong
Easy planing
FOREST ROTATION
Slowly, during decades
A tree matures in Finland, depending on the site, region and species, within roughly 50 to 120 years.
Wood From Finland
Wood from Finland is a national promotion program for Finnish sawn timber operated by Finnish Sawmill Association.