Australian Cypress is a truly unique timber, with nothing comparable available in today's' market. It is a unique honey coloured aromatic Australian native timber and has the environmentally desirable property of being naturally termite resistant and high durability. Also known as White Cypress Pine (Callitris Glaucophylla), Australian Cypress does not require any form of chemical treatment to prevent damage by termites (white ants). With the increased awareness of the side effects of chemical usage and the ever-increasing effort to reduce chemical usage, Australian Cypress really is the outstanding choice in timber for our Australian climate.

Although botanically a softwood (conifer) its properties relate more closely to medium density hardwoods and are ideally suited to similar applications as hardwoods such as flooring, decking, weatherboards, framing and fencing timbers.

Australian Cypress is one of the world’s most unique softwoods, not only is it much harder than its commercial alternatives – such as plantation pine and Oregon – it is also very durable and naturally resistant to termites. In fact the heartwood of Australian Cypress is ranked as termite-resistant and is included in a list of appropriate timbers in AS 3660.1 (Termite management).

It’s easy being greener

Since Australian Cypress is naturally termite-resistant and quite durable, there is no need for the chemical manufacturing processes used on other timber products to bring them up to a similar level of performance.

This also means use of our Australian Cypress products are safer and our manufacturing processes do not have to deal with the waste management and occupational health and safety issues of the chemically treated alternative.

Sustainable Forest Practices

Our Australian Cypress comes from nearby sustainably managed forests consisting of natural regrowth trees and managed by Forests NSW. Forests NSW are certified under the Australian Forestry Standard Scheme (AFSS). AFSS has the only Sustainable Forest Management (SFM Certification - AS 4708) and the only Chain of Custody (CoC Certification - AS 4707) certification process that are recognised Australian Standards®.

The Australian Forestry Standard Scheme has mutual recognition by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme (PEFC). PEFC is the world's largest forest certification organisation.

Cypress is one of the first forests types to benefit from active management by Forests NSW. Harvesting is regulated by Forests NSW to enhance growth rates. Gunnedah Timbers works in partnership with Forests NSW to ensure the resource is managed responsibly and conserved as a timber resource for future generations.

More information

For more information on Australian Cypress, try these links:

• Cypress NSW, the industry alliance that oversees the ATIC Quality Assurance programme.
• Austwood Australia, qualityAustralian native timber merchants.