Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
A swamp-grown softwood famed for rot resistance and strength, stronger than cedar, ideal for anything that gets wet. Old-growth 'pecky' cypress has a prized pocketed figure.
Commonly built
- Exterior trim
- Boats
- Siding
- Outdoor furniture
Appearance
Light yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, straight-grained; old or 'sinker' stock can be darker. 'Pecky' cypress has distinctive elongated fungal pockets.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works well for a softwood, though some pieces contain silica that dulls tools. Excellent decay resistance and good strength, used for exterior trim, boats, and water tanks. Glues and finishes well.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn bald cypress panel moves roughly 0.34 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Bald Cypress move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Bald Cypress?
Bald Cypress has a Janka hardness of 510 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Bald Cypress suitable for outdoor use?
Bald Cypress stands up reasonably well outdoors, especially with a protective finish and regular maintenance.
How easy is Bald Cypress to work with?
Bald Cypress has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Bald Cypress move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn bald cypress panel moves roughly 0.34 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Naturally decay-resistant and often used outdoors with a penetrating exterior stain or oil; weathers gray if left bare. Takes clear finishes well indoors. 'Pecky' cypress with its distinctive voids is usually clear-finished to show the character.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used bald cypress, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.