ANTIQUE WHITE PINE FLOORING & MILLWORK
KING OF THE FOREST
Eastern White Pine was the undisputed King of the northeastern woods. It is said to have reached heights of 240 feet and diameters of 5 to 8 feet prior to European colonization. These trees were much larger than anything left standing in Europe and early settlers in New England marveled at their size.
In 1605, George Weymouth, a Captain in the British Royal Navy, recognized the potential value of these tall, straight pines for making ship masts for the Crown. England was desperate for a source of good mast wood for her ships because her own lands had been almost entirely deforested. The combination of its light weight and strength made the newly discovered Eastern White Pine the perfect choice.
It didn`t take long for the colonist in New England to realize the commercial value of their massive pines, both as mast wood and as raw lumber. Consequently, the first English lumber mill was built and put into service in York, Maine in the year 1623. The vast virgin forest had become a gold mine for New England almost overnight.
And, many fortunes were made on Eastern White Pine. Everything was made from it, even the ships that ferried the lumber. By the dawning of the 17th century, Eastern White Pine had achieved singular economic importance in New England. And, that economy continued for almost 100 years. However, by the turn of the nineteenth century, virtually all virgin stands of Eastern White Pine were gone.
Today, Old Growth Eastern White Pine is only available as a reclaimed specie, ie, Antique White Pine. As urban populations expand in New England, large numbers of cabins, barns and other old structures become slated for demolition. Wide Pine carefully reclaims these rare materials and painstakingly recycles them. It is from these raw materials that Wide Pine`s spectacular wide plank engineered floors are crafted.
Centuries of aging has given these reclaimed virgin planks a patina and character that makes them even more beautiful now than they were originally. Additionally, every single plank now has its own special history and story to tell. Wide Pine is indeed pleased to be a part of reclaiming, recycling, and preserving such an important part of American history.
ANTIQUE WHITE PINE
Today, Eastern White Pine is available in abundance as a reclaimed specie. It is often referred to as Antique White Pine, New England Pine, or “Pumpkin Pine”. As urban populations have expanded in New England, large numbers of cabins, barns, and other old structures have become slated for demolition. The Joinery Co. carefully reclaims these rare materials and painstakingly recycles them. It is from these raw materials that we craft our spectacular wide plank engineered floors. Centuries of aging have given Reclaimed White Pine a patina and character that makes it even more beautiful than it was originally. Additionally, every single plank now has its own special history and story to tell.
Standard dimensions are: 3/4″ x [5″, 6.1″, 7″, 9″, 11″] x 6.0′, 7.2′ in nested bundles. Other widths and lengths are available by special request.
