Why Cypress?

We use cypress (Taxodium distichum) for our products because it has a moderate-high resistance to decay and insects, is easily worked, and takes paints and stains well. Its beautiful, fine grain looks great in formal or casual settings. When freshly milled, cypress has a blonde color; once a clear varnish or stain is applied, it glows to a deep honey color and any color paint or colored stain can be used as well. The natural protective oil (cypressene) found in cypress give it an aromatic smell that never fades. Click here to read what the USDA Forest Research Service says about it. For more information on Cypress as an American, Sustainable, and Carbon Neutral wood, click here.

Cypress readily takes clear sealants, stains or paints. It can also be left natural and it will take on a beautiful antique gray. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory has some great wood finishing articles: (You must have Adobe Reader to view them; click here to: Get Adobe Reader)

Cypress Technical Information

Specific Gravity (>12% moisture content): .46
Density (lbs./ft.3): 31.4
Static Bending (Dry Lumber)

  • modulus of rupture (lbs./in.2): 10,600
  • modulus of elasticity (million psi): 1.44
  • work to maximum load (in.-lbs./ft.3): 8.2

Impact Bending (Dry Lumber)

  • height of drop causing complete failure (in.): 24

Compression Parallel to Grain (Dry Lumber)

  • maximum crushing strength (lbs./in.2): 6,360

Compression Perpendicular to Grain (Dry Lumber)

  • fiber stress at proportional limit (lbs./in.2): 730

Tension Perpendicular to Grain (Dry Lumber)

  • maximum tensile strength (lbs./in.2): 270

Shear Parallel to Grain (Dry Lumber)

  • maximum shearing strength (lbs./in.2): 1000

Side Hardness

  • load required to embed a .444 ball to 1/2 diameter (lbs.): 510

Flame Spread Rating: 145-150