What’s the difference between pine and macrocarpa?
Pine and macrocarpa are both popular choices for outdoor furniture, but they each bring something different to the table.
Pine is treated and dependable, great for everyday use and friendly on the budget. Macrocarpa is naturally durable, chemical‑free, and has that warm, rich look people love in New Zealand gardens.
So which is “better”? That really comes down to what matters most to you — price, appearance, or a more natural timber.
What is treated pine?
Treated pine is radiata pine that has been infused with preservatives to resist rot, fungi, and insects. It’s the most common outdoor timber in New Zealand because:
- It’s affordable
- It’s easy to work with
- It handles moisture well
- It’s available everywhere
Pine is often painted, and it performs best when kept off damp ground and maintained periodically.
Left unfinished, treated pine weathers to a soft grey, though knots and grain variation remain visible.
What is macrocarpa?
Macrocarpa (Cupressus macrocarpa) is a naturally durable softwood grown throughout New Zealand. It contains natural oils that help resist rot and insects without chemical treatment.
It’s prized for:
- Warm golden colour
- Fine, attractive grain
- Low movement and good stability
- Pleasant aroma
- Chemical‑free outdoor performance
Macrocarpa weathers to a beautiful silver‑grey if left unfinished.
Appearance & Weathering in NZ Conditions
Pine
Fresh pine is pale with visible knots. Painted pine looks clean and modern; stained pine can mimic darker timbers. Weathered pine turns grey but can look patchy if not maintained.
Macrocarpa
Macrocarpa starts golden and rich, with a refined grain and the natural knots that give it character. Over time it fades to a soft silver, developing the coastal, rustic look that suits NZ gardens, rural properties, and coastal homes.
Which looks better? That’s personal taste — but macrocarpa is generally chosen for aesthetic reasons, while pine is chosen for budget and practicality.
Durability & Strength Outdoors
Pine
Durability comes from treatment. Properly treated pine is very resistant to moisture and insects. Structurally, pine is strong and reliable, but it can move or warp if not painted or maintained.
Macrocarpa
Macrocarpa is naturally durable and stable. It performs well outdoors when:
- kept off damp ground
- protected from constant wetness
- stained or oiled periodically
It’s not as rot‑proof as treated pine in harsh, wet environments, but in normal NZ garden conditions, macrocarpa lasts extremely well.
The construction factor
The important thing to remember is that craftsmanship matters just as much as the timber itself. A well‑built macrocarpa bench made by a specialist — using seasoned wood, proper joinery, and stainless fixings — will always outperform a mass‑produced or poorly assembled piece. The same rule applies to treated pine: a properly engineered bench with stainless fixings will outlast a badly made one every time. Price per species never tells the whole story; good timber paired with good construction is what delivers real long‑term value.
Maintenance & Care
Pine
- Needs staining, or painting
- Treatment protects the inside, not the surface
- Can look tired if neglected
- Requires periodic upkeep to stay attractive
Macrocarpa
- Can be left natural
- Benefits from oiling (e.g., CUTEK®)
- Weathers beautifully
- Requires less maintenance than pine if you like the silvered look
Macrocarpa rewards light care; pine demands more attention if you want it to stay looking good.
Price & Long‑Term Value
Pine
- Cheapest outdoor timber
- Great for budget projects
- Long lifespan when maintained
- Best value for painted furniture
Macrocarpa
- More expensive than pine
- Much more attractive
- Higher perceived value in NZ timber industry
If you want premium garden furniture that looks handcrafted and natural, macrocarpa is worth the investment.
Refurbishment Potential
Quality macrocarpa furniture can be restored, re‑oiled, and refinished decades later, thanks to its natural oils and stable grain that respond well to sanding and fresh oil even after long periods outdoors.
Treated pine can also be refurbished, and similarly its performance depends heavily on how well the original piece was built and coated — a well‑made, properly sealed treated pine bench will refurbish far better than a poorly made one.
Macrocarpa or Pine for Different Types of Furniture
Different furniture types need different timbers. Macrocarpa gives premium results for outdoor tables and chairs thanks to its durability, warm colour, and stable grain, while treated pine suits budget sets or painted pieces but needs more upkeep. For gardener’s furniture, pine is ideal for hard‑use utility benches, and macrocarpa suits outdoor potting tables or decorative pieces that stay outside year‑round. Indoor furniture is a separate category altogether — fine joinery and long‑term stability call for hardwoods, not softwoods like pine or macrocarpa. Picnic tables favour macrocarpa for long‑term weathering and minimal fuss. Filleting benches are all about practicality: stainless steel tops for hygiene, and treated pine frames that handle sea spray, sun, and rough use. For children’s furniture, macrocarpa is the safe, chemical‑free option that sands smooth and stays stable, while pine works only for painted or budget builds.
Modern Alternatives to Treated Pine
Treated pine has served its purpose for years, but anyone who’s spent time in a busy workshop knows the downside: CCA sawdust isn’t something you want your staff breathing. The copper, chromium and arsenic in treated pine make it a hazardous material to cut, sand and machine, and that’s why Peter & Son will eventually move to Accoya for these builds. Accoya is still made from New Zealand plantation pine, so the look and feel stay familiar — the difference is that it’s safer to work with and far kinder on the people handling it every day. Right now the cost gap is too wide to make the switch, but that won’t last. As regulations tighten around CCA timber and more Accoya plants come online around the world, the shift becomes unavoidable. In time, treated pine will disappear from our workshop, replaced by a cleaner, safer, chemically‑free alternative that keeps the work environment healthy and the craft moving forward.
Macrocarpa or Pine: The Verdict for New Zealand Gardens
So which timber wins? The honest answer is that several timbers can be excellent choices — it depends entirely on your priorities and where the furniture will live.
Macrocarpa
- Naturally durable
- Beautiful grain and colour
- Ideal for premium outdoor furniture
- Weathers gracefully to silver
- Chemical‑free and NZ‑grown
Pine (treated)
- Affordable and strong
- Excellent for painted or utility furniture
- Performs well outdoors with maintenance
- Best for budget builds or high‑moisture environments
The real truth: the craftsmanship matters as much as the timber
A handcrafted macrocarpa table or bench, built by a specialist who understands outdoor furniture, will outperform any mass‑produced pine or imported hardwood piece with inferior construction.
Good timber helps. Good joinery decides the lifespan.
Treated Pine vs Macrocarpa
Feature Comparison:
Pine and macrocarpa are both widely used in New Zealand, but they perform very differently across key factors like best use, water and UV resistance, cost, safety, appearance, and maintenance. This table shows how each timber stacks up so you can choose the right material for your project.
Scientifically supported
Industry agreed
Field‑proven
Customer‑observed