Cypress

Grain interlocked and sometimes irregular, medium to coarse texture. Heartwood usually yellow to golden or medium brown, tending to darken over time. Pale yellow sapwood. Highly rot and insect resistant. Easy to work unless interlocked grain, which may cause some tear out during surfacing. Can also cause dulling for cutter. Glues and finishes well. CAUTION: Iroko dust is a known irritant and respirators are recommended while working with this material.

Grain is straight, with a very coarse texture. Heartwood is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. Upon application of a wood finish (particularly an oil finish) the wood can become nearly black. However, unlike most other dark hardwoods, the heartwood of wenge can lighten (rather than darken) when exposed to sunlight. Very durable; good termite resistance.

Straight to interlocked grain with medium to coarse texture. Heartwood ranges from pale pink to a deeper reddish brown, sometimes with streaks of medium to dark reddish brown. Colors darken with age, QS surfaces show a ribbon-stripe appearance. Somewhat rot and insect resistant. Easy to work, although tearout can be a problem with interlocked grain. Glues, turns, finishes well.