Microscopy: Technical Information Sheet
White Cypress-Pine Callitris glauca R. Br. ex R.T. Bak. & H.G. Sm. Cupressaceae
(C. columellaris F. Mueller)
The genus Callitris contains about 14 species native to Australia.
Other Common Names: Murray River Pine, Murray River Cypress, Cypress-Pine, Murray Pine (Australia).
Distribution: Widely distributed throughout Australia with main commercial development in New South Wales and Queensland.
The Tree: The tree varies in size according to soil and climate conditions; on suitable sites may reach a height of 100 ft with diameters around 16 in. to 24 in.
General Characteristics: The timber is light brown in color with dark brown longitudinal streaks; sapwood varies from pale straw to pinkish tan. Grain is usually straight; texture rather fine; lustrous; aromatic camphor-like odor; greasy feel; many tight, small, dark brown knots.
Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.58; air-dry density 42 pcf.
Mechanical Properties: (2-in. standard)
|Moisture content||Bending strength||Modulus of
|Maximum crushing strength|
Janka side hardness 1,030 lb for green material and 1,375 lb at 12% moisture content. Forest Products Laboratory toughness 114 in.-lb green and 65 in.-lb dry (5/6-in. specimen).
Drying and Shrinkage: The wood seasons readily but because of low shrinkage is customarily used in the green or partially dried condition; tends to check around knots. Shrinkage green to air-dry: radial 2.1%; tangential 2.8%; volumetric 4.0%.
Working Properties: The timber is fairly easy to work although there is some tearing of grain around knots; dresses well to a smooth finish and takes a high polish; some tendency to split when nailed.
Durability: The heartwood is rated as very durable and is highly resistant to attack by both decay fungi and insects, including termites. High resistance to marine organisms is also reported.
Preservation: No information available.
Uses: Light construction including siding, flooring, and joinery, posts and poles, decorative veneer, furniture components.
Additional Reading: (2), (3), (6)
2. Australia: NSW For. Comm. 1953. Timbers of New South Wales-Cypress pine. Tech. Notes For. Comm. (Div. Wood Technol.) NSW 7(4):3-8.
3. Australia: CSIRO For. Prod. Newsletter. 1960. Properties of Australian timbers: Cypress pine. For. Prod. Newsletter. CSIRO Aust. No. 266.
6. Bolza, E., and N. H. Kloot. 1963. The mechanical properties of 174 Australian timbers. CSIRO Div. For. Prod. Technol. Pap. For. Prod. Aust. No. 25.
Taken from: Chudnoff, Martin. 1984. Tropical Timbers of the World. USDA Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook Number 607.