SCA Lodgepole Pine
Nordic Lodgepole Pine, a complementary and fast-growing Nordic softwood species with unique advantages for the timber and construction industry. Discover the Potential of Nordic Lodgepole pine.
The advantages of using Nordic Lodgeple Pine
Sound knots
Easy to process
Low weight and free from checks
About Lodgepole Pine
The Nordic Lodgepole pine, made out of the contorta pine, has amazing growth and is also highly resistant to several diseases and fungal attacks that can strike Swedish pines. The rapid growth also offers major climate benefits, as it so quickly binds the carbon dioxide.When the North American contorta pine was first planted in Sweden in the 1970s, it was with a clear objective in mind: to restore balance to forest stocks as quickly as possible, thus ensuring the long-term availability of raw materials. Today, just over 50 years later, SCA is ready to introduce this new tree species to the market and begin large-scale production of sawn timber products in Lodgepole pine.
Although the contorta pine has long been one of the most common and most popular tree species on the other side of the Atlantic, only now is the Swedish stock reaching a harvestable age, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Having experimented, tested and built up a knowledge bank in anticipation of larger volumes of mature timber, everything is now in place to start scaling up the production of sawn timber products from lodgepole pine.
CAPACITY
300 000 hectares. Equivalent to half of Sweden’s forest area under active management.
We regenerate 25% of the area annually, and the forest grows faster compared to spruce and pine. Production of sawn lodgepole pine at Gällö Sawmill. Nordic Lodgepole PIne grows 15% faster and therby binds 800 000 ton additional than the alternative spiecie.
APPLICATIONS
Exterior and interior cladding, studs, decking, glued panels, heat-treatment, knot-free components (knot-cut and finger-jointed).
GRADING
Homogeneous appearance graded into three quality levels: US-V or SF, and 6th and 7th grade similar to spruce.
LENGTHS
Primarily 4.2 m and 4.8 m, with full back lengths to 3.9 m and 4.5 m.
VOLUME
Annual capacity: 120,000 m³ of roundwood, 60,000 m³ of sawn timber.
Possible growth.
SCA is currently grading Lodgepole pine in three main grades with related B-grades. The portfolio can be updated and all products might not be available for all markets.
| Centercut | US-V KD18% | SF 1-6* KD18% | SD KD 8-10% | 6th | Schaal | 7th |
| 32x125 | X | X | ||||
| 42x92 | X | X | ||||
| 44x125 | X | X | X | |||
| 47x100 | X | X | X | |||
| 47x125 | X | X | X | |||
| 47x150 | X | X | X | |||
| 50x150 | X | X | X | |||
| 75x150 | X | |||||
| 95x95 | X | X | ||||
| Side boards | ||||||
| 19x75 | X | X | X | |||
| 19x100 | X | X | X | |||
| 25x100 | X | X | X | |||
| 25x125 | X | X | X | |||
| 28x100 | X | X | X | |||
| 28x115 | X | X | X | |||
| 32x100 | X | X | X |
* SF 1-6, better 6th.
Products in the above table are available in the following length specification. Sideboard dimensions trend toward a shorter average length distribution than center cut.
SCA Lodgepole Pine length program 2025
| Lengths | 3,6m | 3,9m | 4,2m | 4,5m | 4,8m |
| Share of volume | 5% | 10% | 35% | 10% | 40% |
Future possible grading
• Stress graded C16 (C24) for construction
• Sound knot grading for panels and heat-treated products
Nordic Lodgepole Pine grows in SCA’s own forests. With advanced log optimization technology, we ensure maximum yield from every tree. Our sawmill operations have been streamlined through a new length program, focusing on 4.30 and 4.90 meter logs. We’ve also invested in expanding kiln capacity to meet rising demand. At the grading mill, AI-powered camera technology from FinScan allows for precise board inspection from both sides without rotation, improving both accuracy and efficiency across production.
Read articles about Lodgepole Pine
Nordic Lodgepole Pine opens up new opportunities
Norsk Limtre has long experience in glulam production and has partnered with SCA since the 1990s. Together they explore new possibilities with Lodgepole Pine for the wood products of tomorrow.
An innovation that maximizes the potential of raw material
SCA develops new uses for Swedish forest resources. Heat-treated Lodgepole Pine offers stability, durability, and heartwood-like properties for diverse applications.
New tree species, new opportunities
Contorta pine was introduced to Sweden in the 1970s to restore forest balance and secure long-term raw material supply.
From our forests, we’ve developed the art of producing sawn wood products in the northern part of Sweden for generations. Today, our products reach customers all over the globe and project by project each piece contributes to the formation of a more sustainable future built out of wood.
Located on the island of Öhn in Gällö, Gällö sawmill is the largest in Jämtland in terms of production volume. With roots dating back to 1879, the sawmill has played a key role in Jämtland’s forest industry for nearly 150 years. SCA became a part-owner of Gällö in 2010, in 2024 Gällö became a fully integrated part of SCA.
The mill produces approximately 350,000 cubic metres of sawn wood annually, using spruce, pine and lodgepole pine. Deliveries are made to customers in Sweden and Norway, as well as exports to Europe, North Africa and China.
Read more about the properties of Lodgepole Pine and heat-treated Lodgepole Pine: 250922 Logepole Pine.pdf
Technical enquiries SCA Wood, Gällö Sawmill
Alexander Åhréus
Sales person, Scandinavia, Specialist Lodgepole Pine, SCA Wood
- Telephone
- +46 73 029 12 63
- alexander.ahreus@sca.com
Per Näslund
Business Developer and logistics, Gällö Sawmill
- Mobile
- +46 76 135 44 96
- per.naslund@sca.com
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Contorta pine
The contorta pine is a Canadian tree species that grows 40% faster compared with Swedish pine on the same land. SCA has about 300,000 hectares of contorta pins. This corresponds to 15 percent of SCA's productive forest land. Contorta pine was introduced in Sweden in the early 1970s, after extensive experimentation and evaluation, especially of environmental effects.