Pine, ocote

(Pinus oocarpa)

Common Name(s): Ocote Pine, Mexican Yellow Pine

Scientific Name: Pinus oocarpa

Distribution: Mexico and Central America; also grown on plantations

Tree Size: 80-115 ft (24-35 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 44 lbs/ft3 (700 kg/m3)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .55, .70

Janka Hardness: 950 lbf (4,240 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 14,720 lbf/in2 (101.5 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 2,209,000 lbf/in2 (15.23 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 6,400 lbf/in2 (44.1 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 4.6%, Tangential: 7.5%, Volumetric: 12.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is light brown, sapwood is a paler yellowish white.

Grain/Texture: Straight grained with a medium, even texture.

Rot Resistance: The heartwood is rated as moderately durable to non-durable in regards to decay resistance.

Workability: Overall, Ocote Pine works fairly well with most tools, though the resin can gum up tools and clog sandpaper. Glues and finishes well.

Odor: Ocote Pine has a distinct, resinous odor while being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity: Working with pine has been reported to cause allergic skin reactions and/or asthma-like symptoms in some people. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicityand Wood Dust Safetyfor more information.

Pricing/Availability: Ocote Pine is widely grown on plantations, though it is certainly not as widely available as Radiata Pine. Lumber usage is usually for local needs or as wood pulp for papermaking. If available as dimensioned wood, prices are likely to be moderate for an imported timber.

Sustainability:  This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern.

Common Uses: Paper (pulpwood), veneer, plywood, boxes/crates, flooring, and construction lumber.

Comments: Ocote Pine is the national tree of Honduras, where the wood is used locally for a range of construction purposes.

Radiata Pine (sanded)

Radiata Pine (sealed)

None of the above content is our original work and all credit (and any errors or omissions) is due www.wood-database.com.
  • Watch Expert Advice on YouTube
  • Corporate Members of DHI
  • Member of NFPA.
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • AAADM Certified!
  • ALOA Certified!
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • DHI FDAI EDA Inspector
  • AIA
  • Follow us on Pinterest
  • ARL
  • Intertek Logo