Question
Is there any difference between a swamp cypress and an upland cypress in decay resistance? A claim is being made that upland cypress is more rot resistant.
Forum Responses
(Architectural Woodworking Forum)
From contributor U:
We use a fair amount of cypress for exterior shutters, and we find there is a wide range of terms used to describe the different types. What we find to be in cypress that is referred to as swamp cypress is that there is a lesser quality in the stability and rot resistance of the wood. That being said, cypress is like most other woods in that the best material comes from the more mature trees, whether it is swamp or upland cypress. That being said, neither compares to "old growth cypress".
I have finally developed the attitude that when I use cypress, I prime, seal and paint with the best products I can, then I encourage my customers to repaint on a regular schedule and hopefully never really test the rot resistance of the wood. I believe that swamp cypress grows out faster due to the higher availability of water, and that due to this, the wood is not as good. By the time we consider availability, cost and workability, plus whatever rot resistance there is, we like using cypress on most outdoor projects over most other woods.
