Short answer: Pine timber (grenenhout) is softwood from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). It is not hardwood. With no treat it sits in class 4 to 5. For outdoor use you most often buy pressure-treated pine.
What is pine timber?
In Dutch timber yards, "grenen" means pine timber. It is almost always Pinus sylvestris. The timber is pale yellow to light brown. It is quite soft and easy to cut and screw. You see clear growth rings and often visible knots.
Which tree does pine timber come from?
It comes from Scots pine. That is a needle tree, not a hardwood tree. So pine sits with spruce and Douglas fir in the softwood group. It does not sit with tropical or oak hardwoods such as Okan, Azobe or oak heartwood.
Is pine hardwood?
No. Pine is softwood. Hardwood comes from leaf trees and most of the time has a higher natural hold. See what is hardwood? and what is Douglas timber?
- Kind — Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).
- Group — Softwood, not hardwood.
- No treat, outdoor use — Poor (class 4 to 5).
- Outdoor practice — Pressure-treated pine.
Traits and outdoor use
Pine with no treat suits indoor or short-term work. For fences, posts and garden frames we say pick pressure-treated pine. Hub: outdoor pine and spruce. Compare with Douglas: pine vs Douglas.
Class 4 to 5 means the timber does not last well in wet soil on its own. That is why yards treat pine for outdoor jobs. The treat gives the wood a longer life in fences and posts. It does not turn pine into hardwood. It just makes a cheap softwood last longer out of doors.
If you want a warm colour with no green treat tint, Douglas is often the next step. If you need lasting ground or water contact, pick hardwood such as Okan or Azobe.
So pine is a cheap, easy timber. Indoor it works well. Outdoor you treat it, or you pick a timber that lasts more on its own.
Common questions
What is pine timber (grenenhout)?
Softwood from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), often called grenen in Dutch trade.
Is pine hardwood?
No — pine is softwood.
Which tree does grenenhout come from?
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).
Is pine timber suitable outdoors?
With no treat, most of the time no. Outdoor pick pressure-treated pine, or a more durable timber such as Douglas fir or hardwood.