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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on May 7, 2009 at 8:55pm

..BTW. I said "pee-row" as in the pierogue (I think that is the proper spelling).. Those little flat bottom canoes. You know- the old Hank Williams song "we gonna row the pee-row on the bayou.."

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on May 7, 2009 at 9:50pm

Dave, is this the cypress you are thinking about?

Name Atlantic White-Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Also known as white cedar, southern white cedar, swamp cedar, chilopsis, and false cypress.
Sources Grows in eastern half of United States.
Appearance Generally straight and even grained with a fine texture. Light brown heartwood tinged with red or pink and nearly white sapwood. Somewhat oily with a characteristic cedary odor.
Physical Props Light, soft, low stiffness, low strength, low shock resistance, poor steam bending, good stability in service and good decay resistance.
Working Props Turns, carves, and generally works well with machine or hand tools. Good screwing and nailing properties. Paints, stains, and finishes fairly well but oily nature may present problems.
Uses Used for poles, posts, fencing, shingles, millwork, boxes, crates, water tanks, boat building, and various other exterior applications.


There is also this one:

Name East African Cypress (Cupressus spp.)
Type Softwood.
Other Names Also known as cypress.
Sources Consists of several species mainly concentrated around the Mediterranean as well as Australia, California, and Asia Minor.
Appearance Straight grained and fine, even texture with orange to pinkish brown heartwood and pale-colored sapwood.
Physical Props Light, low to moderate strength and stiffness, moderate shock resistance, good stability in service, and excellent decay resistance. Not suitable for steam bending.
Working Props Works reasonably well although knots can be troublesome and care needed to prevent chip-out on end-grain. Screws, nails, glues and finishes well, accepting most any finish satisfactorily. Ideal for exterior construction where wood is in contact with ground.
Uses Used for joinery, ship/boat building, chest and closet lining, and utility furniture.
Comments Tends to be quite knotty.

I have no experience with either but I remember seeing there were two cypress woods. I hope this helps.

Rick Newman

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on May 8, 2009 at 8:11am

How did you get a monster pile of cypress to PA? Its far away from its growing range. I know it dosen't grow along the Delaware. We had a place along the river at Lordville for many years- downstream from Hancock.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on May 8, 2009 at 10:06am

I bought it at a local lumber yard that got it from an order never picked up. pretty much 1/2 price.

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