Cypress Wood | Types of Cypress and Uses

Cypress is a common name for various coniferous trees. There are many species of cypress, but only 12 are true species. Most of the cypress trees are native to the South.

Some species of Cypress trees can grow up to 150 feet tall. They can live up to 1,000 years and are considered long-lived tree species.

What is Cypress Wood?

Cypress wood is durable, stable, and rot-resistant, making it popular for outdoor construction, such as decks, siding, and fence posts. It is a popular softwood for its unique color and grain appearance.

#	Cypress Wood
Scientific name	Cupressus
Tree Height	80-120 ft (24-37 m) tall
Workability	Easy to work
Durability	Very durable
Rot Resistance	Natural rot resistant
Wood Type	Softwood
Uses	Exterior construction, docks, boatbuilding, interior trim, and veneer.

What Color and Appearance is Cypress Wood?

The heartwood of cypress is pale to yellowish-brown, and the sapwood is nearly white. Cypress wood is light-colored wood, So it holds stains well. Cypress wood turns silvery grey with age and exposure to UV rays.

Cypress has a straight grain and medium texture to coarse texture. Raw, unfinished surfaces have a greasy feel.

What is Cypress Wood Good For?

Outdoor Uses

Cypress is a softwood wood, but it has properties like hardwood and is the perfect choice for exterior applications. Because it has decay and water-resistant properties. Cypress contains Cypressene oil, which is a natural preservative resistant to decay.

But due to constant sunlight and dust, discoloration is a common problem in Cypress (almost every wood species). Since stain and sealing are better options for exterior application. Cypress is considered better for exterior construction, docks, boatbuilding, etc.

Furniture

Cypress wood is one of the most popular species of furniture. It is dense and heavy and has great strength and stability, making it a good choice for outdoor and indoor furniture.

Flooring

The wood must be water-resistant and hard enough to make a durable and quality floor. Australian Cypress is a fairly stable and hard cypress species. The Janka Hardness of Australian Cypress is 1,360 lbf (6,060 N), and the Average Dried Weight is 41 lbs/ft3 (650 kg/m3). Which is sufficient for making flooring.

How to Clean Cypress Wood?

No matter how strong wood is, regular care and cleaning are required to increase its durability. The persistent accumulation of dust and moisture causes the wood to rot and discoloration.

The discoloration is a common problem. This happens due to constant exposure to sunlight and dust. The yellowish-brown color of the Cypress starts to fade.

Therefore to regain the natural color of the Cypress, it is necessary to clean the surface of the wood and apply stain or paint.

Steps to Clean Cypress Wood

Sweep or brush loose debris, such as leaves or cobwebs, from the surface of the wood.
Mix a mild detergent and warm water and clean the wood surface with a clean cloth or soft brush.
Rinse the wood thoroughly with a low-pressure washer to remove any remaining soap residue.
Allow the wood to dry completely before applying any sealers or finishes.
To maintain the look of cypress wood, you can use penetrating oil to preserve the color, such as tung oil. This will help to protect the wood from moisture and UV rays, which can cause fading or discoloration over time.
For outdoor cypress wood, you should repeat the cleaning and oiling process every year to maintain its appearance and prevent it from deteriorating.

Avoid These Things

Avoid chemical-based solutions to clean laminates or wood surfaces that can ruin your wood stain.
Do not use a high-pressure washer, as this may dent or scratch your wood.

How to Stain Cypress wood?

Staining enhances the wood color and protects the natural color from UV rays. Cypress wood is easy to stain, and it accepts stains well. That’s why owners often choose it for their siding and deck.

If you choose Cypress for outdoor purposes, the oiled base stain would be a better option, and polyurethane varnish is good for the interior.

Step 1: In the first step of the staining, clean the Cypress with a wet cloth or sand with light hands, and remove dark spots. If the wood is already stained, sanding should be done to remove the stain before restaining.

Step 2: After sanding, clean the surface again with a dry cloth. Because in the next step, we are going to stain. Therefore it is necessary to clean the sanding dust.

Step 3: Apply the first coat of stain with a clean brush or cloth with medium pressure. Apply the stain straight and reverse the direction of the grain. Fill the holes in the wood from all angles.

Step 4: After doing the first coat, let the wood dry well. It takes 3 to 4 hours of drying time in summer and 6 to 8 hours in winter (You can also read the instructions guide on stain bottle).

Step 5: After the stain dries, sand the wood again lightly.

Step 6: Now, we are on the final step. Repeat the staining process with a second or final coat with a lighter hand, and let it dry well.

Is Cypress Wood Expensive?

Cypress is relatively inexpensive. Cypress is usually less expensive than other wood. Usually, the cost of cypress lumber can be around $2 to $6 per board foot at your local lumberyard/retailer. Well, the price depends on many factors, such as species of Cypress, grade, size of lumber, and where you buy from.

Some species of Cypress can get you 2$ to 3$ per board foot, but some can get 6$ to 8$. You will get cheap in the native state of Cypress.

Based on the quality of the wood, the grade is classified. Such as grade A, B, and C. “Grade A” woods do not have knots and defects. The price of Grade A is higher than that of Grade B and C. Grade B and C may have some knots and defects. That’s why the price of this grade is low. By the way, there are fewer knots and defects in Cypress.

Generally, grades A are used for exterior use, and grades B and C are used for interior applications.

How to Seal Cypress Wood?

Sealing is required for all those projects which are exposed to moisture. Wood sealer forms a protective layer by sealing the open pores so that the wood is not affected by moisture and external elements. There are many types of sealers available in the market.

Before applying the sealer, ensure the surface is thoroughly clean and dry. Applying sealer is similar to painting. Use a soft brush. Allow the sealer to reach deep into the cracks and crevices.

If you are using a spray gun. So keep the spray gun at a distance of 9 to 12 inches from the wood.

A good sealer can extend the lifespan of a cypress. It prevents the wood’s rotting and improves the paint’s quality.

Types of Cypress

Australian Cypress (Callitris Columellaris)

Australian Cypress is commonly known as White Cypress Pine, Murray River Cypress-pine, and Northern Cypress-pine. It is an evergreen tree reaching 4 to 12 meters in height and 50 to 55 cm in diameter. Australian Cypress leaves are scale-like and 2–6 mm long, and 0.5 mm broad in size.

Wood Color and grain pattern: Heartwood Color Can Vary From Light Tan To Darker Brown to Reddish-Brown Streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow or pinkish. Easily differences can be seen in Sapwood and Heartwood.

Workability: Generally Easy To Work with hand tools and machine tools. Small knots can sometimes cause tears or other machining challenges. The density of Australian Cypress is higher, which can be difficult to work with. But glues and finishes well.

Hardness and weight: Australian Cypress’s Janka hardness is 1,360 lbf (6,060 N), and the average dried weight is 41 lbs/ft3 (650 kg/m3).

Uses: Veneer, Plywood, Flooring, Furniture, and Other exterior construction purposes.

Mediterranean Cypress

Mediterranean Cypress (also known as Italian Cypress, Tuscan Cypress, Persian Cypress, or pencil pine) is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is a medium-sized coniferous evergreen tree with a height of 35 m (115 ft) trunk diameter of 2-3 ft (.6-1 m). The Mediterranean is very long-lived, with some trees reported to be over 1,000 years old.

Wood Color and grain pattern: Heartwood varies from pale yellowish to reddish-brown. The sapwood is yellow. Sapwood and heartwood can be easily distinguished.

Workability: Easy to work with machine tools. Sometimes work can be difficult with hand tools due to knots and irregular grain. Also, Steam bending is not easy, but glues, stains, and finishes do well.

Hardness and weight: Leyland Cypress’s Janka Hardness is 560 lbf (2,490 N), and the Average Dried Weight is 33 lbs/ft3 (535 kg/m3).

Uses: fence posts, musical instruments (flamenco guitars), furniture, boatbuilding, and turned objects.

Pond Cypress

Pond Cypress is not a true cypress species. It is growing up to 50 to 60 ft. (15 – 18 m) tall. Its leaves are soft green and turn yellow in the fall. Pond Cypress has been considered a better ornamental tree than bald cypress trees.

Because its spread is less and its maintenance also has to be reduced. It just needs a little pruning.

Hinoki Cypress

Hinoki cypress is a slow-growing evergreen conifer tree with a pyramidal shape. It is used as an ornamental tree. Hinoki is usually too large for residential gardens. That’s why it is planted in a large garden or open ground. Its leaves are dark green, and its bark is reddish-brown.

There are many dwarf hinoki cypress trees available that are ideal for garden landscapes. Such as the ‘Nana Gracilis’ that grows between 3 and 6 ft. (1 – 2 m) tall.

Arizona Cypress

Arizona Cypress is a coniferous evergreen tree native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It grows to heights of 15–25 m (50-85 feet), and its trunk diameter reaches 55-60 cm (22 in).

Arizona Cypress has grey-green to bright glaucous blue-green foliage that grows in dense sprays. It is planted as ornamental in the garden and roadside. Its leaves are 2-5mm long. Their Growth Rate is Medium (12 to 24 inches per year).

Uses: It is used as an ornamental tree. Arizona cypress seeds are eaten by squirrels, ground squirrels, and other rodents.

Nootka Cypress

Nootka Cypress is also known as Yellow Cypress, Alaska Cypress, Nootka Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Alaska Cedar, and Alaska Yellow Cedar. It is native to the Northwest Coast of North America. It is an evergreen tree that grows about 100-120 ft (30-37 m) tall and has a 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) trunk diameter.

Wood Color and grain pattern: Heartwood is light yellow. The sapwood is whitish/pale yellow. It is difficult to identify sapwood and heartwood due to their similar color.

Workability: Great workability with hand and machine tools. Due to having heavy grains, some may need help in machine operation. But it holds Paint Well. Stains, Glues, and Finishes Well.

Hardness and weight: Leyland Cypress’s Janka Hardness is 580 lbf (2,580 N), and the Average Dried Weight is 31 lbs/ft3 (495 kg/m3).

Uses: It is a durable and rot-resistant wood species. Which is used to make quality carving objects, boatbuilding, siding, flooring, decking, outdoor furniture, musical instruments, boxes, chests, etc.

Leyland Cypress

Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing coniferous evergreen tree. It is used in horticulture and originated as a hybrid in Wales, UK. Leyland reaches a size between 20 and 25 m high, and its trunk diameter is 2-3 ft (.6-1 m). It is a fast-growing tree that grows about 1 meter per year.

According to Wikipedia, Leyland Cypress is a hybrid of two other cypress species: Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Nootka cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis).

Wood Color and grain pattern: Heartwood varies from pale yellowish to reddish-brown. The sapwood is yellow. Sapwood and heartwood can be easily distinguished.

Workability: Overall easy to work with hand and electric machines. Sometimes work can be difficult due to knots and irregular grain. Also, Steam bending is not easy, but glues, stains, and finishes do well.

Hardness and weight: Leyland Cypress’s Janka Hardness is 430 lbf (1,890 N), and the Average Dried Weight is 31 lbs/ft3 (500 kg/m3).

Uses: Utility lumber, fence posts, musical instruments, quality furniture, boatbuilding, and turned small objects.

Monterey Cypress

Monterey Cypress is a coniferous tree, Endemic to the central coast of California, cultivated throughout North America and Europe. The height of its tree is 50-82 ft (15-25 m), and the trunk diameter is 2-3 ft (.6-1 m). The leaves are scale-like, 2–5 mm long.

Wood Color and grain pattern: Heartwood is a pale yellowish or reddish-brown. The sapwood is yellow. Sapwood and heartwood can be easily differentiated.

Hardness and weight: Monterey Cypress’s Janka Hardness is 620 lbf (2,750 N), and the Average Dried Weight is 32 lbs/ft3 (515 kg/m3).

Uses Utility lumber, fence posts, musical instruments (flamenco guitars), furniture, boatbuilding, and turned objects.

Mexican Cypress (Cupressus lusitanica)

Mexican Cypress, also known as white cedar. It is native to Mexico and Central America. The height of its tree is 20-40 m, and the trunk diameter is 2-3 ft (.6-1 m). The leaves are scale-like, 2–5 mm long.

Wood Color and grain pattern: Heartwood is a pale yellowish or sometimes reddish-brown. The sapwood is yellow. It is completely different from the heartwood.

Workability: Easy to work with hand and machine tools. Knots and irregular grains can make it difficult to work. Steam bending is also difficult, but glues, stains, and finishes do well.

Hardness and weight: Mexican Cypress’s Janka Hardness is 500 lbf (2,240 N), and the Average Dried Weight is 29 lbs/ft3 (470 kg/m3).

Uses Construction lumber, poles/posts, musical instruments (flamenco guitars), and turned objects.

Gowen Cypress (Cupressus goveniana)

Gowen Cypress, also known as Californian Cypress, is an evergreen tree. It is distributed from Endemic to Coastal California. There is not much population of this species, and neither does it grow in large quantities in the forests.

The tree’s height is about 30-50 ft (9-16 m), and the trunk diameter is 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m). The leaves of Gowen Cypress grow in the dense spray. Some leaves are dark green to yellow-green in color. The leaves are 2–5 mm (0.08–0.20 in) long and are rounded.

Wood Color and grain pattern: Heartwood of Gowen Cypress is yellowish or reddish-brown. Whereas sapwood is yellow. The sapwood is narrow. Grain is usually straight, but there may be irregular grain due to knots in some parts. Fine, uniform texture with a good natural luster.

Workability: It is easy to work with hand and machine tools, although it can be somewhat difficult due to the presence of knots. Glues, stains, and finishes well, but stream bending is difficult.

Hardness and weight: Gowen Cypress’s Janka Hardness is 570 lbf (2,520 N), and the Average Dried Weight is 30 lbs/ft3 (480 kg/m3)

Uses Fence posts, musical instruments (flamenco guitars), furniture, boatbuilding, and turned objects.

Where to Buy Cypress Wood?

Cypress wood is easily available online (Lowes, Home Depot) and offline stores. If you wish to go to an offline store, always buy from a trusted store only. There are many true and false species of Cypress whose prices and properties differ. So be careful while buying.