Our A-Frame in VT is sided with vertical tongue and groove pine. It’s been painted many times. We figure the house was build in the mid 1960’s. There are still a few knots in the boards that ooze sap. Just amazing to think that after 60 years, it still has a bit of sap in it.
It really is. And then to think when the trees used for those boards were cut and how old they were. Could it have been pine that started growing before 1900? Interesting thought exercise.
I second that. I was amazed to see the huge growth rings in the pine that The Wood Wolverine posted. Most of the rings on the pine around here are so small I can barely see them, let alone count them. A buddy of mine that works for Colorado State University (Rangeland Stewardship) says that the high altitude softwoods grow much slower and become much more dense than low altitude soft woods.
When I count those rings, I have to use a pair of magnifiers and a pin to keep track of where I was. They do seem to be very dense. I have made a bunch of things from them, and I always love the way they turn out. Working on a bench right now for some of my watch work. No stain on this one all natural.
If you drop a Lodge Pole in late fall or winter there will also be very little sap. I was taught that for firewood only drop pines after the first freeze or go for standing dead.
