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Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is referred to in the South as "white" pine to differentiate it from the Southern Yellow Pines used commonly in construction locally. In the Pacific Northwest, it is referred to as "yellow" pine, to make matters confusing. It's range is the broadest of all North American Trees, growing from Alaska to northern Mexico. There are some isolated stands in West Texas, at higher elevations in the mountains.
The lumber from Ponderosa Pine is fairly soft compared to the other pines, and is mostly used for furniture and moldings. It mills easily and takes good detail. Much of the rustic furniture that comes out of Mexico right now is Ponderosa Pine. The availability of large, old trees made it a favorite for mass production windows, doors and moldings in the early to mid-twentieth century. The old growth lumber available had decent rot resistance, if not equal to the Longleaf Pine or Cypress that ran out around 1920. The knotty version is still currently a fine, low cost alternative to hardwoods for certain applications.
Boards two foot wide were commonly available and used as "drain-boards" in kitchen construction of the 1940's before the development of laminates. These were offered in trade catalogs along with asbestos shingles and "embossed brick exterior siding".
Currently, most trees available are younger and the lumber must be glued for width.
The famous "rumpus-room" paneling of the 1950's was knotty or clear white pine, 1 x various widths, milled to tongue/groove with decorative detail. As plywoods became more cost effective, this paneling went the way of the black and white television.
 Ponderosa Pine, showing heart and sap wood and knots Ponderosa Pine, Clear 20" wide boards Ponderosa Pine "Rumpus Room" Paneling (officially Pattern KP-44) KP-44 Wall paneling, Knotty white pine 1920's Window Frame Very-tight growth rings from "old-growth" tree Knotty White Pine Mantel
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