Cypress

Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Common Name(s): Cypress, Baldcypress

Scientific Name: Taxodium distichum

Distribution: Southeastern United States

Tree Size: 100 ft (30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft³ (525 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .42

Hardness: 510 lb_f (2,270 N)

Bending Strength: 10,600 lb_f/in² (73,100 kPa)

Elasticity: 1,440,000 lb_f/in² (9,930 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 3.8%, Tangential: 6.2%, Volumetric: 10.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

Color/Appearance: Color tends to be a light, yellowish brown. Sapwood is nearly white. Some boards can have scattered pockets of darker wood that have been attacked by fungi, which is sometimes called pecky cypress.

Grain/Pore: Cypress has a straight grain and a medium texture; being a softwood, Cypress also has closed pores.

Durability: Old-growth Cypress is rated as being durable to very durable in regards to decay resistance, while wood from younger trees is only rated as moderately durable.

Workability: Overall, Cypress is easy to work with hand and machine tools, though sharp cutters ought to be used to prevent lifting of the grain. Also, the wood has been reported by some sources to have a moderate dulling effect on cutting edges. Cypress has good gluing, nailing, finishing, and paint-holding properties.

Smell: Cypress has a distinct, somewhat sour odor while being worked.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Cypress has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include respiratory irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price Range: Prices ought to be in the mid-range for domestic woods, with clear, knot-free boards for woodworking applications costing more than construction-grade lumber.

Comments: Cypress is popular choice in construction applications where decay resistance is needed. Some common uses for the wood include: exterior construction, docks, boatbuilding, interior trim, and veneer.