Scientific Name
Cupressus sempervirens
Trade Name
Cypress
Family Name
Cupressaceae
Common Names
Cypress, East African cypress
Regions of Distribution
Mediterranean Sea Region, Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey
Common Uses
Exterior uses, Shipbuilding, Structural work, Trunks, Utility furniture, Wardrobes
Environmental Profile
| Status has not been officially assessed |
Distribution Overview
| Due to the long horticultural history of this species in the Mediterranean region, its original native distribution is unclear; perhaps the question is pointless, as widespread human alteration of natural environments in the region has occurred across a time span featuring substantial climate changes. Various authorities attribute its native distribution to Greece (some Aegaean islands), Turkey, Crete, N Iran, Lebanon, and Syria; and perhaps Cyprus (which would only be appropriate). In N Africa, it may be native to Tunisia and N Libya. Currently, it can be found growing in cultivation or locally naturalized throughout the entire Mediterranean region. Moreover, the existence of C. atlantica (regarded by many as a subspecies of C. sempervirens) in Morocco and C. dupreziana in Algeria suggests that |
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Purple | ||||||||||||
| Green/grey | ||||||||||||
| Orange to pinkish-brown |
Wood surface is usually scattered with knots
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Mottle |
| Mottled or streaked figure sometimes | ||||||||||||
| Generally straight, but not always |
Brown streaks or flecks caused by resin cells are a rather common feature.
Texture
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Even or uniform | ||||||||||||
| Uniform | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Even textured |
Natural Durability
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to marine borers | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites |
Cypress has high natural resistance against attack by decay-causing fungi and wood destroying insects
Odor
There is a distinct cedar-like scent which tends to fade with time
Resin Content
| Contains resin |
The wood is sometimes classified as non-resinous
Drying Defects
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Collapse | ||||||||||||
| Internal Honeycombing Possible |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Requires special attention | ||||||||||||
| Medium to High Shrinkage | ||||||||||||
| Moderately Difficult to Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Veneer dries relatively rapidly, with little degrade except slight tendency to split | ||||||||||||
| Easy |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
Comments
Generally strong and tough for its weight.
Blunting Effect
| Little | ||||||||||||
| Blunting effect on machining is slight |
Boring
| Fair to good results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly easy to very easy | ||||||||||||
| Break-Away at tool exits is common in knotty material |
Carving
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw | ||||||||||||
| Moderate to saw | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very good properties |
Mortising
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Straight-Grained wood is easy | ||||||||||||
| Material with knots tends to tear and break away |
Moulding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Movement in Service
| Excellent Stability – Small Movement | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Stability – Medium Movement | ||||||||||||
| Stability is good | ||||||||||||
| Expect small movememt |
Nailing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Pre-Boring Recommended | ||||||||||||
| Poor to Very Poor Results | ||||||||||||
| Easy to nail |
Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult | ||||||||||||
| Easy to use machine tools |
Material containing knots is difficult to work to a smooth finish because of torn grain. A reduced cutting angle has been recommended in planing knotty material
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Wood usually has interlocked grain, making it more difficult to work with hand tools | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Routing & Recessing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Sanding
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Screwing
| Pre-boring recommended | ||||||||||||
| Good screw holding properties |
Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Veneering Qualities
| Veneers easily | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for slicing | ||||||||||||
| Suitable for peeling | ||||||||||||
| Veneers moderately easy | ||||||||||||
| No drying degrade |
Steam Bending
| Poor |
Polishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Staining
| Finish is generally satisfactory |
Strength Properties
The weight is moderate. The species has average, or medium, density
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Density | 27 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Specific Gravity | 42.2 | ||
| Weight | 26 | 21. | lbs/ft3 |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Density | 432 | kg/m3 | |
| Specific Gravity | 42.2 |
References
Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California