Guide to Chilean Pine Forests

Radiata pine is one of the best woods to use for millwork. It’s easy to paint and stain, making it incredibly versatile and well-suited for a range of projects. 

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While radiata pine thrives in the rainy climate of Chile, it’s not a native pine species. Chilean native pine species are protected — which is why all of CMM’s products are made from non-native Chilean pine and are sustainably harvested and manufactured. 

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Understanding where the lumber comes from and how its harvesting processes affect the environment can help you explain to your clients why radiata pine is the best choice for their build. 

What Is Chilean Native Pine?

The native pine species in Chile is Araucaria Araucana, also known as the monkey puzzle tree or Chilean pine tree. The iconic monkey puzzle tree is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. 

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The distinctive branches of this tree have provided wood for indigenous communities for hundreds of years. The trees also produce a type of pine nut that the Mapuche people have used for generations to make bread flour. 

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Araucaria Araucana has a unique appearance and is considered a living fossil because of the ancient documented lineage of this species. It’s also an endangered species because of the loss of the tree's natural habitat and other factors that threaten its ability to survive.

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In 2015, an extensive study was carried out to find new ways to protect these native trees and help them survive. As part of the effort to prevent its extinction, native Chilean pine is not allowed to be harvested or used for wood manufacturing.

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Because of these restrictions, non-native pine species that grow well in Chile's climate have been introduced for wood manufacturing.

What Is Non-Native Chilean Pine?

Several different types of non-native pine species grow well in Chile and are used for lumber, including maritime pine, lodgepole pine and radiata pine — which produces the most aesthetically appealing pine lumber.

Pinus Pinaster (Maritime Pine)

The maritime pine is native to the Mediterranean, along the coastline of southern Europe and North Africa. It grows well in sandy soil and thrives in coastal climates like Chile’s. It grows best in areas with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

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Maritime pine is a popular type of pine for construction because it has a beautiful straight grain and is extremely durable and hardy. This tree is also known for its resin, which can be used in many commercial applications. The thick resin-filled bark of this tree makes it very resistant to fire.

Pinus Contorta (Lodgepole Pine)

The lodgepole pine is another non-native pine species that was introduced to Chile because of its ability to thrive in coastal regions. This pine can grow well in sandy soil, grassy areas, or mountain regions — although it prefers a hot and dry climate in the summer and a wet climate in the winter.

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One of the reasons why the lodgepole pine is used for commercial lumber manufacturing is because it reproduces and grows very quickly. Sustainably harvested and carefully grown lodgepole pine trees can produce a lot of lumber without much stress on the land. 

Pinus Radiata (Radiata Pine)

Radiata pine is native to California in the United States and Guadalupe and Cedros Islands in Baja California, Mexico.

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It was introduced to Chile specifically for timber production because the climate in Chile is very similar to the climate that this species needs to flourish. It makes up 62% of the total non-native pine plantation area and is the most popular type of pine used for lumber.

Radiata Pine History

Like other species of pine trees, radiata pine thrives in sandy soil and in areas with a coastal climate that is hot and dry for about half of the year and has mild temperatures and a lot of rain the other half of the year.

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Even though this tree is only native to a very special section of the Central Coast of California and Mexico, it is one of the most widely grown lumber trees in the world. It’s grown in South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand.

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Radiata pine’s ability to grow quickly in coastal conditions and the inherent properties of the wood it produces make it very popular for construction projects.

Benefits of Radiata Pine

CMM only uses radiata pine for trim boards, molding and other products because of its benefits, including its ideal texture, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and durability. 

Texture

Radiata pine boards have a uniform texture and are relatively easy to cut. That makes it easy to cut them to the individual specifications of builders and get the same precise measurements on each board. 

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This pine easily takes paint and stain without detracting from the beautiful grain of the original wood. 

Cost

Commercially grown non-native radiata pine is an affordable softwood. Builders can get a high-quality, durable product without blowing their budget by choosing CMM’s trim boards and other products, especially on large products where budget is a big concern.

Sustainability

Radiata pine is a renewable resource grown from non-native pine trees and brought to Chile specifically as a source of sustainable lumber. It has a fast growth cycle and is plantation-grown, so it doesn’t sap the natural resources of national forests or threaten the native monkey puzzle tree.

Durability

Radiata pine has the perfect blend of strength, durability and softness. It can withstand the rigors of commercial applications but is also soft enough to create beautiful millwork and trim. It’s also resistant to warping and cracking.

Use CMM for Your Radiata Pine Needs

If you’re in the market for sustainable, cost-effective, durable and beautiful lumber, CMM and A-Sure Trim have you covered. Our Radiata pine is sustainably harvested and manufactured, ensuring your lumber is eye-catching and eco-friendly.

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‍Contact us today to learn more about our products or to order lumber for your next project.