how do i know if my table is pine?

Pine is an evergreen softwood - there are over 100 species of Pine Tree. Most of the world's timber production comes from this type of tree.

To see what pine looks like use Google and select images
enter the word pine and look at the pictures.
Also "softwood" and "hardwood" for comparison.

With the passage of time all wood tends to collect dirt and darken in colour - experts in the furniture business call these layers of dirt "patina". Varnish also tends to darken wood. Even though it looks "brown" you will get a better idea of the actual wood by scratching it in a place nobody can see - underneath for instance.

Peccavi
April 2013