Cypress & Redwood

Cypress and redwood are close relatives in the cypress family and two of the best-known rot-resistant softwoods in America. Bald cypress is a true Florida tree that grows in swamps and along rivers across the state, and its old-growth heartwood, nicknamed the wood eternal, was used for water tanks, boats and homes that still stand today. Today's second-growth cypress is lighter and less durable, but it is still a handsome, stable wood for trim, paneling, tabletops and outdoor projects, and pecky cypress with its pocket pattern is a Florida favorite. Redwood from coastal California is soft and light, with a warm red color and excellent resistance to decay in its older heartwood, which makes it ideal for decks, planters and outdoor furniture. Both woods are easy to work but soft enough to dent, and their dust can irritate. See each page below for durability, finishing and Florida tips from our Fort Myers shop.