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CYPRESS, MONTEREY

Cupressus macrocarpa and Cupressus macnabiana


A NOTE ABOUT CYPRESS SPECIES


Cupressus spp. of the family Ephedraceae

Monterey cypress comes in two forms (two species): Cupressus macnabiana (Monterey cypress / Macnab's cypress / California cypress / California mountain cypress) appears to be endemic to California and not grown elsewhere.

Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey cypress / macrocarpa), which does also grow in California, has also been successfully transplanted to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and Kenya.

I am fairly confident that everything on this page is one species or the other of Monterey cypress and there seems to be little if any distinction between the lumber of the two.

my samples:
NOTE: these pics were all taken in very bright incandescent lighting ("soft white" at 2700K)
colors will vary under other lighting conditions


both sides of a sample plank of Monterey cypress / Cupressus macrocarpa --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by Mark Peet whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site.


end grain and HIGH GRIT END GRAIN CLOSEUP of the piece directly above



The Wood Book pics


flat cut, quartersawn, end grain
Monterey cypress (cupressus macrocarpa) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views


flat cut, quartersawn, end grain
Macnab's cypress (Cupressus macnabiana) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views

web pics:


freshly milled slab


plank listed as Monterey cypress / Cupressus macrocarpa --- the size is approximately 3" x 1.25" and both levels of enlargement are present so the grain shows up very nicely


flat cut planks


plank listed as golden cypress / Cupressus macrocarpa --- I have not otherwise seen the designation "golden" cypress, and this species is normally called California cypress or Monterey cypress


quartersawn planks


curly planks


what appears to be end grain of a piece listed as Monterey cypress / Cupresus macrocarpa


carving/turning blocks listed as Monterey Cypress


Adirondack chair back


guitar


bowls