The indigenous territory of this tree is very small, a strip of land less than 5 miles by approximately 50 miles along the coast near Santa Cruz. It it has been planted as an ornamental along most parts of the coast and inland. This is the tree that is so prominent in San Francisco's Presidio and Golden Gate Park. It is identical to Japanese Cypress, or Hinoki, the most prized wood in Japan. In Japan Hinoki is used for Shinto shrines and shoji screens as well as incense and healing balms. In this country it is used for firewood. Because Monterey Cypress grows in areas subject to strong winds the trees are often leaning substantially which tends to load the wood with tension. This can make the wood a challenge to work with. If a board is made flat and true and then resawn it will often warp substantially because some of the tension was released. If the tree happened to grow vertically the wood is a dream to work with and is exceptionally stable, close to Walnut. Classified as a soft wood it is harder than some hardwoods, Poplar comes to mind. Monterey Cypress carves beautifully and takes detail well. once cut it will oxidize to a warm orange hue over time. The picture is of a piece with some beautiful curly figure, not unusual but usually not consistent enough to make large pieces of furniture. Monterey Cypress is also a tone wood, meaning that it resonates when struck with a wooden mallet rather than making a dull thud. The wood I have came from a tree that blew down during the El Niño winter in the late 90's. it was growing on a fence line between two homes on in the Pasotiempo Country Club in the mountains above Santa Cruz. This would be an excellent wood choice for a Biedermeier inspired piece.
©Robin Corell 2005