Let’s cut straight to the chase. Yes, pine can hold up, but it totally depends. Essentially, pine’s durability hinges on treatments. Without treatments, pine alone isn’t your best bet for timber for landscaping. So, what are the different types of pine treatments, and what do they mean?
Different Treatments for Pine
To make pine timber for landscaping durable, it’s treated with preservatives. But be warned: some timber on the market is ‘Truewood’ (also known as ‘Heartwood’), which doesn’t take treatments well. So, when buying treated pine, ensure you get ‘Sapwood’ or at least 80% treated ‘Sapwood’.
Timber for Landscaping – Pine Hazard Ratings
You may think, ‘What on earth are these hazard ratings?’ Don’t panic. These are just markers to show how well your timber can withstand certain conditions or hazards. For instance, H5-treated pine can weather heavy wetting and leaching and is excellent for structural applications. Using the correctly rated pine timber for landscaping could mean your project could last 40-plus years. And remember, timber lasts longer in Southern Australia than in the tropics, so we’re about in the middle in Coffs Harbour.
Types of Pine Preservatives
When it comes to the good stuff that boosts your pine’s durability, we’re mainly talking about CCA, ACQ, and Tanalith E:
CCA (Copper Chromium Arsenate) is pretty standard and protects against decay and insects.
ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary): a broad spectrum of fungi and termite protection, perfect for outdoor use!
Tanalith E: based on copper triazole technology for medium to high-risk applications.
Hardwood Ratings Aren’t Comparable
Frustratingly, hardwood has its own rating system, so don’t get caught in the trap of trying to align it with pine’s hazard ratings. Generally, hardwood handles mother nature better than untreated pine H1 to H3 pine, but it’s way more expensive. So, when choosing between the two, consider the availability, cost and specific use in your project.
In the end, both hardwood and pine have their places in landscaping. It all depends on your project’s needs. So equip yourself with the know-how, talk to the experts, and make the right timber choices, and you’ll have a landscape that’ll bring joy for years to come.
