The objectives of the present study were to determine anatomical characteristics, mechanical
properties and natural durability to two fungi types [Gloeophyllum trabeum (Persoon ex Fries)
Murrill and Trametes versicolor (Linnaeus ex Fries)Pilat] for cypress wood (Cupressus spp.).
The wood has straight grain, brown to white color, medium texture, and moderate luster. It
also showed medium to low density, low shrinkage, and moderate dimensional stability. Lignin
content was relatively high, whereas extractive content was low. Cupressus spp. showed static
bending properties of 4.1 GPa for modulus of elasticity; 91.0 MPa for modulus of rupture;
1.8Â MPa for internal bond; and 6357 and 4039 N for end and side Janka hardness, respectively.
All mechanical properties, in air-dry condition, were similar to those described to cypresses
and some Amazonian hardwood species. Cypress wood was ranked as highly resistant to the
brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum and to the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor,
making it suitable for interior and exterior uses and high humidity environment.
