Cupressaceae - the Bald Cypress Family

The Bald Cypress Family

The Cupressaceae, known as the bald cypress family, is a conifer family with cosmopolitan distribution. Today the Cupressaceae is the most widely dispersed of the gymnosperm family in the world. The main reason the Cupressaceae family is quite famous in the botanical world is because it includes members of species that include the largest, tallest, and stoutest individual trees in the world. Additionally, they also are awarded second place following the Pinaceae family in the category of longest lived plant family in the world. The first place winner is actually Pinus longaeva, a close cousin to the bald cypress family, which contains core samples dating back approximately 4,700 years ago. Fitzroya cupressoides is the second place winner representing the Cupressaceae family with its oldest specimen from Chile dating back approximately 3,622 years.

A few other characteristics that make the bald cypress family popular, particularly with construction workers, architects, contractors, and even morticians, is the heartwood of the Cupressaceae trees that are resistant to rotting, fungi, and termite damage. This would make it the lumber of choice when it comes to wood that needs to be in direct contact with soil and wood that requires a long durable lifespan. This unique wood also has a very sweet traditional smell which is considered when it comes to projects where the scent of wood can be admired and appreciated. A few good examples of this would be fences, houses, frames, coffins, and lawn furniture.

The Cupressaceae family is comprised of mostly monoecious, and rarely ever, dioecious trees and shrubs.