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CYPRESS Taxodium distichum
Common Names Bald Cypress, Black Cypress, Cows Cypress, Gulf, Pond or Red Cypress, Southern, Cypress, Swamp Cypress, Yellow and White Cypress History Cypress trees are conifers, but unlike most American softwoods, these are deciduous trees that shed foliage in the fall like hardwoods. Although cypress is a softwood, it grows alongside hardwoods and traditionally has been grouped and manufactured with hardwoods. Did You Know? During the Middle Ages, European craftsmen carved massive cathedral doors from cypress. Distribution Most cypress trees are natives of the South. They are found primarily in wet, swampy areas along the Atlantic Coastal Plain from Delaware to Florida, and west along the Gulf of Mexico to the border of Texas and Mexico. Cypress also thrives along the Mississippi Valley from the Louisiana delta to southern Indiana. Cypress roots love water. Some trees growing on wet sites develop what are called cypress "knees" or pneumatophores. The knee-like upright growths come from the roots, helping to support the tree and also to aerate the waterlogged root system. The wood from the knees is soft and light and can be used to make vases and novelty items. Main Uses Cypress is a popular choice for building construction, posts, beams, decks, docking, porch flooring, greenhouses, siding and stadium seats." Cypress is also used to make caskets, doors, blinds, sash and other types of millwork. Fine grain cypress is used to make custom cabinetry. Because of its watertight durability, it is also used for cooperage, shingles, in tanks, vats, ship and boat building and to make railroad cars. Relative Abundance Readily available as lumber and veneer. General Description The sapwood is pale yellow white with the heartwood varying in color from light to dark or reddish brown. Localized pockets of fungus decay often create "pecky" cypress which has a rather novel appearance. Availability Readily available as lumber and veneer.
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click the above images to view Wood is a natural product. Some variation in color and grain pattern will occur between samples, images on this website, photographs and any specific installation. Working Properties Cypress machines well, planes easily and resists warping. Pre-boring at board edges will help prevent splitting. Cypress nails and screws very well. It glues well, sands easily and readily accepts finishes. Due to the natural preservative oils in Cypress, an oil based primer or sealer is recommended. View detailed grade descriptions, finishing recommendations and mechanical properties of Cypress
Physical Properties The heartwood of cypress contains a natural preservative oil which makes it one of the most durable woods for use in exterior applications. view the USDA Forest Service (pdf) report on cypress
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