Pinus radiata (D. Don), also commonly referred to as pinus insignis or Monterrey pine, is native to the west coast of the USA, and more specifically California. It was first introduced to the Basque Country around the mid-19th century, successfully managing to adapt to the local climate and soil, even recording higher and faster growth than in its home ground.

It has the following scientific classification:

Order: Conifers
Family: Pinaceae
Subgenus: Diploxylon
Country of Origin: USA (California)

The wood of the pinus insignis has technical attributes that make it highly valued in the cellulose industry, where its long fibre has several major applications; it is used to manufacture cardboard, cards and resistant paper. In addition, it has become widely used in the timber industry and in house-building.

The Basque Country currently has around 160,000 hectares planted with this species, concentrated mainly in the provinces of Bizkaia and Guipuzkoa, catering for around 90% of the industrial supply of this wood.

Property	Description
Colour	Light chestnut heartwood and white - yellowish sapwood
Knots	Normally healthy and firm in dark chestnut
Growth rings	rowth width of 6 to 7 mm per year
Fibre	Straight, except in rings close to the pith
Texture	Uniform and smooth
Odour	Slightly resinous
Nominal Density	12 %
Contracction	From green state to 0% humidity content
Tangential	7,0%
Radial	4,2%
Volumetric	11,2%