What is cypress?
The Wood Guide · The wood register
Softwood · referenceCypress
A collective name for conifers of the genus Cupressus. Fragrant, light and rot-resistant — and linked with immortality for millennia.
- Genus Cupressus
- Family Cupressaceae
- Naturally rot-resistant
Cypress at a glance
Various conifer species of the genus Cupressus, family Cupressaceae, native to warm-temperate to subtropical regions of Asia, Europe and North America.
The name goes back to the Latin cypressus, which in turn comes from Greek. The tree is known for its long life and in the Mediterranean world is associated with immortality and mourning — which is why it stands in almost every cemetery there.
The wood is light yellowish brown, fine-grained and aromatic. As with cedar, that scent comes from essential oils that make the wood naturally rot-resistant and insect-repellent. It is light, stable and pleasant to work.
Not only for the symbolism. Cypresses are narrow and tall, which is practical on cramped plots; they are evergreen, so present in winter too; and they grow very old. In Mediterranean culture that combination became a symbol — and that symbol perpetuated itself.
- Botanical
- Cupressus spp.
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Origin
- Asia, Southern Europe, North America
- Colour
- light yellowish brown
- Scent
- aromatic, from essential oils
- Durability
- good for a softwood
To be fair: cypress wood is hardly traded in Northern Europe. What you come across here as "cypress" is often a related member of the Cupressaceae — western red cedar or thuja — and not a true Cupressus. Ask for the botanical name if it matters.
Cupressus, family Cupressaceae
Cypress is a collective name for conifers of the genus Cupressus, family Cupressaceae. Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) also belongs to that family — botanically it is not really a cedar but a relative of the cypress.
Click a chapter or use the arrows · trees, scent and seasons schematic.
What characterises cypress
Light and stable
Low weight with good dimensional stability — it moves little with changes in moisture.
Aromatic
Essential oils give the characteristic scent and repel insects, as with cedar.
Naturally rot-resistant
Good for a softwood, although it does not reach the class 1 of tropical hardwood.
Fine-grained
Even and light in colour; it takes a finish evenly.
What cypress is used for
| Use | Suitable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chests and cupboards | Excellent | The scent repels insects, as with cedar |
| Cladding | Good | Light, stable and rot-resistant |
| Garden sheds and pergolas | Good | Durable enough above ground |
| Boatbuilding | Traditional | Light and rot-resistant — used for centuries |
| Indoor furniture | Good | Light in colour and weight |
| Ground contact | Limited | Choose robinia or pressure-treated wood |
Cypress and cedar share their aromatic, insect-repellent character. western red cedar also belongs to the Cupressaceae — botanically it is not really a cedar at all but a relative of the cypress.
Frequently asked questions about cypress
What is cypress wood?
The wood of conifers of the genus Cupressus, family Cupressaceae. It is light, aromatic and naturally rot-resistant.
Why are cypresses planted in cemeteries?
For their symbolism of immortality, but also for practical reasons: they are narrow, evergreen and grow very old — ideal on cramped plots.
Is cypress the same as western red cedar?
No, but they are related. Western red cedar is Thuja plicata, also a member of the Cupressaceae — so botanically closer to the cypress than to the true cedar.
Can cypress go outdoors?
Above ground, yes, thanks to its natural rot resistance. For ground contact you choose robinia or pressure-treated wood.
Cypress in perspective
A reference species with more cultural history than trade volume.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Cupressus sempervirens — Sailko, CC BY 3.0 · Cupressus sempervirens — Francesco Bini, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Val d'Orcia, Tuscany — Enrico Pighetti, CC BY 2.0