Cypress the Green Option
The Cypress Industry under the auspices of the Timber Board of Queensland is an organisation that is committed to the long term viability of cypress timber. The white cypress pine used is milled from widely spread natural forest areas in South Western Queensland. These forests are professionally managed to sustain long term availability. In fact there is more Cypress now than there was 100 years ago.
Cypress Supplies has applied for a Chain of Custody Certification under the auspices of the Australian Forestry Standards ‘A.F.S.’ with expectation of it being completed by September 2009.
This A.F.S Certification and the timber being naturally chemical free; guarantees that cypress is the most sustainable environmentally friendly timber available in Australia.
Our Queensland Cypress pine “Callitris Glaucophylla” is a naturally termite resistant timber; no chemicals are needed to ensure that the timber will not be eaten by termites. Radiata “Pinus Radiata” or Slash (Pinus elliotti) originally grown in America has no resistance to our native insects and has to use chemicals to make it termite resistant. There are two treatments used
| T2 | An envelope (dipped) treatment that carries a 25 year guarantee. If any ‘cut’ timber is not sealed using the appropriate spray sealer at time of construction the guarantee is null and void. A Tanalith T (Permethrin) treatment is used to protect timber from attack by termites and other insects. To gain the guarantee you have to contact the Chemical Supplier and send in all appropriate information. The treated timber is used for interior building and structural applications in above ground situations. Care needs to be taken in the disposal of timber off cuts due to the chemicals used. |
| CCA | The Copper Chrome Arsenic solution is fixed by a chemical reaction which changes the water soluble CCA into an insoluble preservation in the plantation softwood. The solution is fixed into the wood within 2 to 14 days depending on humidity and temperature. When using this product care must be taken to use masks and safety glasses and to practice strict hygiene. Care needs to be taken in the disposal of timber off cuts due to the chemicals used. |
There are two types of grading used in the timber industry ‘MGP’ (machine grade process) and Visually Stress Graded. Radiata/Slash Pine (durability grade 3) is usually graded using the MGP method due to the size of its processing plants. Cypress Mills use the Visually Stress Graded method in accordance with the Australian standard 2858.
Cypress is quite different from the usual radiata /slash softwood used in the timber industry. The cypress timber properties relate more closely with those of a hardwood than a conifer. Cypress pine is naturally termite resistant no chemicals being needed to ensure the timber will not be eaten by termites, in fact TRADAC (Timber Research & Development Advisory Council of Queensland) states they are not aware of any single recorded case of a cypress-framed house that has been attacked by termites that has led to structural failure of the house or significant part thereof.