Milling Leyland Cypress log?

[Sawing 4 fun]

Hello everyone, today I was offered 40 large Leyland Cypress trees. The diameter at the base is an average of 24''. I have never milled Leyland Cypress
before. Not sure if they are good for anything since they are a hybrid tree. Can anyone give me some advice if these trees have any value and if so, what could the lumber be used for.

Thanks again,
Gordon

[Ianab]

I've sawn some, and it come out OK. Wide growth rings and white coloured wood, without much smell. It's supposed to be fairly durable but I haven't used any outside to check.

Don't know about value because it's not a "known" species, but I'm sure the wood is usable for all sorts of things. Probably anything you would use a white cedar for?

Ian

[WDH]

The problem is who would want to use it?  I sell lumber, and I am not sure that it would move.  However, you might could use it yourself.

[Ocklawahaboy]

At the right price, it would go for raised planting beds around here.

[Arbor-Mill]

I have sawn several thousand feet for a client over the course of the last two years.  He uses them for bird houses.  It is pretty wood, well kind of pretty.  It does not hold up here like bald cypress or Erc.  It actually rots pretty quick.  If the logs sit on the ground for several months the logs deteriorate quickly.  First round of logs I sawed for the customer he never stacked them and left them beside his shop.  They got very soft with in 4 or so month's.  He removed 25 more and racked those immediately after we sawed em.  His bird boxes looked very nice and he seemed to move em pretty quickly.  It's been my experience people will buy anything if the price is right.  Especially if it's out of the ordinary!  I would take em and encourage the  removal of all Leyland cypress trees.

[Sawing 4 fun]

Thanks for the input, I was thinking along thoughts same lines too. I am in the process of building an addition on my house, and was wondering if there is
any structural strength in the timber. I was thinking of making 4''x8''x20' beams to be used as roof rafters for a A frame. I'm thinking that the Leyland Cypress may be to soft for that application. Does any one have any input concerning using Leyland Cypress for structural timbers?

Thanks again,
Gordon

[Ianab]

I don't have any published strength figures, but I'd think it would be structurally similar to your average pine? I'd have no concerns about building with it anyway.

Ian

[pineywoods]

I wouldn't think the wood would be that much different from the bald cypress we have here. That's usually the wood of choice for camps and cabins. Only problem, cypress is getting scarce and therefore pricey..

[Sawing 4 fun]

OK then, I will tell the man I will take the logs, I'll let you know would they turn out.

Thanks for the info:

Gordon