The species originates in California USA, where it is known as Monterey Pine.
In New Zealand and Australia the species is grown in renewable plantation forests. Through selective breeding over many generations in New Zealand and Australia the Radiata pine tree now has significantly superior characteristics to those of the Monterey Pine and also to those of Radiata pine grown in other countries.
In New Zealand, the timber is graded into categories/grades that are applicable to specific end uses, the broad categories being Structural, Appearance, Remanufacturing and Industrial. There are a number of separate grades within each of these categories.
Most sizes and grades are readily available, with the most popular specifications nearly always in stock.
Radiata Pine Grading:
In the past couple of years, the softwood industry has introduced a range of new Machine-Graded Pine (MGP) grades that are specific to their timber. These stress grades are the result of new trends in the testing, evaluation, quality control, and grading of timber to give a more accurate assessment of the properties of a particular timber.
MGP grades apply only to softwood, but allow the timber to be substituted for F-graded timber where the MGP-grade properties exceed those of the particular F-grade specified. Builders are not allowed to substitute F-grades for MGP grades.
Australian and New Zealand plantation pine, for structural purposes, is available as seasoned grades of F5, F7, F8, F11, and F14, as well as MGP10, MGP12, and MGP15. Remember that in each case, the higher number of the F-grade or MGP grade, then the stronger the timber.
Applications and Uses:
Radiata pine is possibly the most versatile timber in the world. Subject to correct grade selection, appropriate preservative treatment and drying, the timber will perform extremely well in every end use application in which timber is typically used. Very popular for use in areas where a stained or painted finish is required. Modern technology can now produce any profile in finger-jointed radiata up to 6 metres long. Ideal for picture frame moulding as well as skirting and architraves.