What is "southern yellow pine"

n. 1 (context US English) A classification of lumber, widely used in construction in much of the US, from any of several species of genus ''Pinus'' grown in the southeastern United States. 2 ''Pinus palustris'', longleaf pine.

n. large 3-needled pine of southeastern United States having very long needles and gnarled twisted limbs; bark is red-brown deeply ridged; an important timber tree [syn: longleaf pine, pitch pine, Georgia pine, Pinus palustris]

Southern yellow pine (often abbreviated SYP) doesn't refer to any one species of tree, but rather a group of three-needle pine species which are classified as yellow pine (as opposed to white pine), and are native to the Southern United States. They grow very well in the acidic red clay soil found in most of the region. The species include Loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, and slash pines. It typically has a density value between 50–55 lbs/cubic foot when pressure treated.