Here's some information on cypress. Not a common choice, but one you might want
to consider.

Cypress has a natural preservative, cyprysene, impregnated throughout the wood.

How does it weather? Some historical preservationists were working on a 300
year old building back along the E Coast recently. Some of the original
exterior millwork was cypress. They cleaned up the cypress pieces and reused
them.

We should use more N American woods and less teak. There are a lot of political
and environmental costs associated with teak these days.

From a website:

Taxodium distichum
Other Names: Bald cypress, Red cypress, Yellow cypress, Southern cypress


Strength and mechanical properties


Cypress trees are conifers, but unlike most American softwoods, these are
deciduous trees that shed foilage in the fall like hardwoods.

Although cypress is a softwood, it grows alongside hardwoods and traditionally
has been grouped and manufactured with hardwoods.

The oils in cypress' heartwood make it one of the most durable woods when
exposed to moisture conditions causing decay.

Where it Grows
Most cypress trees are natives of the South. They are found primarily in wet,
swampy areas along the Atlantic Coastal Plain from Delaware to Florida, and
west along the Gulf of Mexico to the border of Texas and Mexico. Cypress also
thrives along the Mississippi Valley from the Louisiana delta to southern
Indiana.

Cypress roots love water. Some trees growing on wet sites develop what are
called cypress "knees" or pneumatophores. The knee-like upright growths come
from the roots, helping to support the tree and also to aerate the waterlogged
root system. The wood from the knees is soft and light and can be used to make
vases and novelty items.

Main Uses
Exterior: siding, shutters, shingles, trim, fence posts.
Interior: paneling, moulding, millwork, cabinetry, flooring, furniture.

Did You Know?
During the Middle Ages, European craftsmen carved massive cathedral doors from
cypress.

General Description
The sapwood is pale yellow white with the heartwood varying in color from light
to dark or reddish brown.

Working Properties
Cypress machines well, planes easily and resists warping. Pre-boring at board
edges will help prevent splitting. It nails and screws very well. It glues
well, sands easily and readily accepts finishes.

Availability
Readily available as lumber and veneer.