Cypress grows in the wet swampy areas of the southeastern United States. Although it is really considered a softwood, it has been grouped and graded as a hardwood by the rules of the National Hardwood Lumber Association. It is not very strong but the lumber is very durable. The lumber is sawed from the Bald Cypress tree, which grows in damp bottomlands along the southeastern coast and up the Mississippi basin as far north as southern Illinois. It is most available in the East and Midwest. Bald cypress is one of the most versatile woods grown in the United States. It is a good choice for both decorative and practical reasons. Because of its tolerance for dampness, it is an excellent choice wherever insects and humidity are a consideration.
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