softwood · Taxodium distichum
Bald Cypress wood properties
Also known as: swamp cypress, tidewater red cypress, pecky cypress.
| Type | softwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Taxodium distichum |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,440,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.51 |
| Density (approx) | 32 lb/ft³ (2.7 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 510 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 6.2% / 3.8% |
| Movement coefficient (CT / CR) | 0.00216 / 0.00130 |
| Region | Southeastern United States |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Bald Cypress weighs about 10.6 lb (roughly 32 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 510 lbf is harder than about 18% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: exterior construction, exterior furniture, docks, boatbuilding, interior trim, veneer.
Durability: Old-growth ranks durable to very durable, while second-growth rates only moderately durable.
Workability: Sharp blades and shallow cuts prevent tearout; nails, glues, paints and finishes well.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Bald Cypress:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). CT/CR from the "Bald cypress" row of the FPL/Hoadley table. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.