Scientific Name
Cupressus torulosa
Trade Name
Himalayan cypress
Family Name
Cupressaceae
Common Names
Cypress, Deodar, Devidiyar, Dhupi, Dotial, Galla, Gulla, Gulrai, Himalayan cypress, Kallain, Leauri, Leori, Leuri, Raisal, Raisalla, Rasula, Sarai, Sarru, Surah-vyu, Surai, Surin
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
India, Nepal, Vietnam
Common Uses
Beams, Building construction, Cabin construction, Chairs, Chests, Clogs, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drawing boards, Factory construction, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Office furniture, Picture frames, Planks, Porch columns, Radio – stereo – TV cabinets, Rough construction, Rustic furniture, Stools, Structural work, Studs
Environmental Profile
| Abundant/Secure | ||||||||||||
| Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk) | ||||||||||||
| Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center |
Distribution Overview
W. Himalaya at 1800-300 m on limestone substrates; China: W Sichuan, in arid areas at 1500-2500 m (Vidakovic 1991); and Vietnam, where restricted to a narrow area of the Central Region and the North at elevations of 800-1200 m in Lang Son and Tuyen Quang. Also planted in Kon Tum and Lam Dong. It is a shade intolerant species, thriving in tropical and subtropical rainforests, where it prefers calcareous substrates. It occurs naturally as a dominant in mixed stands with Markhamia stipulata and Burretiodendron hsienmu, sometimes forming pure stands on mountain slopes and summits. It is rather slow-growing, and natural regeneration is very limited. Also in India at the outer ranges of the Himalayas, from Chamba to Nepal.
Heartwood Color
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Green/grey | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Grey | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Light brown |
Darker streaks
Sapwood Color
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White to yellow |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
| Straight |
Texture
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Coarse | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Fine to medium |
Luster
| Medium |
Natural Durability
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Highly resistant to decay fungi, and subterranean termites |
Odor
| No specific smell or taste |
Silica Content
| Siliceous |
Drying Defects
| Checking |
Ease of Drying
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Rapidly | ||||||||||||
| Slowly | ||||||||||||
| Dries well under good controlled conditions |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries slowly | ||||||||||||
| Naturally dries quickly |
Tree Size
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Bark width is 5-10 mm | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood width is 10-15 cm | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Bark width is 10-15 mm |
The tree is described as a large evergreen
Certified Source
| Certified Source |
Comments
Moderately strong tough and hard
Blunting Effect
| High to severe |
Boring
| Fair to good results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly easy to very easy |
Carving
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Mortising
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Moulding
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Poor to Very Poor Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Movement in Service
| Fair to Good Stability – Medium Movement | ||||||||||||
| Excellent Stability – Small Movement |
Nailing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Planing
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Poor to Very Poor Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Responds Readily |
Routing & Recessing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Screwing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
Turning
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Veneering Qualities
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for slicing | ||||||||||||
| Veneers moderately easy | ||||||||||||
| Difficult to veneer | ||||||||||||
| Veneers easily |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy |
Strength Properties
The weight is medium.
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Specific Gravity | 0.4 | 0.47 | |
| Weight | 31 | 30 | lbs/ft3 |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Specific Gravity | 0.4 | 0.47 |
References
Limaye, V. D. 1954. Grouping of Indian Timbers and Their Properties, Uses, and Suitability. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 2. Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India.
Limaye, V. D. and B. R. Sen. 1956. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 4. Manager of Publications, Delhi.
Troup, R.S. 1909. Indian Woods and Their Uses. The Indian Forest Memoirs, Economic Products Series, Volume 1, No. 1. Superintendent, Government Printing, Calcutta, India.
WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing – Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center – Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom