Macrocarpa

Scientific Name: Cupressus macrocarpa
Other names: Monterey Cypress, Macrocarpa Cypress

Macrocarpa is a large hardy softwood that’s native to the central coast of California. Brought to New Zealand in the 1860s and mainly planted for shelter belts, now this versatile timber is found growing throughout New Zealand.

The name Macrocarpa is derived from the Greek word’s “macros” meaning large and “carpos” meaning fruit, referring to the tree’s large cones. Monterey Cypress is a reference to its place of origin.

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Distribution

Macrocarpa is native to California, particularly the Monterey Peninsula. However, it’s widely grown in many other parts of the world, including New Zealand, South Africa, Great Britain, and parts of South America.

 

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Texture

Macrocarpa features a fine and even texture with visible growth rings and usually straight grained. However, grain patterns can be quite varied, often adding to the wood’s character. Ray tissue gives the wood a lustrous appearance similar to that of hoop or kauri.

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Appearance

Macrocarpa heartwood is a distinctive golden yellow brown, while the sapwood is considerably paler. Older trees tend to be darker in colour.

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Properties

Macrocarpa is a low shrinkage medium-density softwood that offers good durability and reasonable strength. It has a natural degree of resistance to decay and insect attacks once sawn and dried. It’s easy to work with, machines and glues well, although it can be difficult to steam bend.     Air dries well, but difficult to kiln dry, suffering from cell collapse and checking.

Application

Macrocarpa’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. It’s often used for interior joinery, panelling, furniture, and crafts due to its appealing colour and ease of workability. It’s also used for outdoor applications like doors and windows, cladding, fencing, pergolas, and landscaping, as it exhibits a decent resistance to weathering and decay.

When finished, Macrocarpa can display a rich, lustrous glow that enhances its natural colour. It takes well to clear finishes, which showcase its grain and colour variations, and to stains that can provide a more uniform appearance.

Despite being a softwood, Macrocarpa’s durability and workability make it a practical choice for both interior and exterior projects. Its natural beauty, along with the sustainable farming practices associated with it, make Macrocarpa an attractive and eco-friendly option for many woodworking projects.

Where is Macrocarpa grown?

Macrocarpa is native to California, particularly the Monterey Peninsula. However, it’s widely grown in many other parts of the world, including New Zealand, South Africa, Great Britain, and parts of South America.