Introduction

Taiwan, the treasured island, is home to two globally unique types of cypress: Taiwan red cypress and Taiwan yellow cypress. Recognized worldwide as premium construction materials for their excellent workability and decay resistance, they are also considered endangered due to overharvesting. Strict logging restrictions in Taiwan have made these woods highly expensive in the market.

Both Taiwan red and yellow cypress emit a unique aroma due to their natural oils, which protect the wood from pests and decay and can be distilled into essential oils used for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, and relaxation purposes.

In terms of properties, cypress wood has a low shrinkage rate, a moderately soft texture, strong stability, and is not prone to deformation, making it easy to work with. Historically, it has been extensively used in construction, furniture making, railway sleepers, shipbuilding, and carving. The high price of cypress wood in the market is partly due to its rarity. Taiwanese particularly cherish its translucent golden appearance, which conveys an extremely luxurious feel. When purchasing cypress wood, consumers should be cautious about its origin; opting for second-hand or reclaimed wood is generally safer. If the wood appears very fresh and undried, it is likely an overseas substitute or illegally harvested material.

Taiwan red cypress naturally grows at elevations around 2,200 meters with thinner bark, while Taiwan yellow cypress, with thicker bark, can be found up to elevations of 2,700 meters. The grain of yellow cypress is more delicate than that of red cypress, and although both are very similar in scent and appearance, often causing confusion, yellow cypress generally holds a slight edge in both price and quality.

The image below shows the grain patterns of red and yellow cypress.