White Cypress in Focus

Pines shoot up all over Australia, it’s a common sight. There are 16 species in Australia, 14 of which are native. The most common varieties native to Australia include:

• Callitris columellaris – coastal northeast New South Wales, southeast Queensland.
• Callitris glaucophylla – throughout most of the southern half of Australia.
• Callitris intratropica – northern Queensland, northern Northern Territory, northern Western Australia.
• Callitris macleayana (Stringybark) – mid central coast New South Wales

Our focus this month however, is with the Callitris glaucophylla (Australian White Cypress). The White Cypress has a strong place in Aboriginal culture (oars, resin and medicine). Commercially it is deemed the most important of the native species.

As a small to medium tree,  they grow typically up to around 18 metres. It’s wood density has earned it the title of the hardest coniferous timber. It’s sapwood is highly resistant to Lyctus borer (termites and beetles) attack which means it doesn’t require treatment and is considered a much safer timber for commercial use.

The oil, distilled from the wood not the leaf, Callitris glaucophylla has a mild yellow colour with a woody, forest like grounding aroma. A relatively new arrival in aromatherapy. The oil has an incredible soothing and grounding property and is used commonly as a fixative in perfumery as well as in anti-anxiety aromatic medicine.

Unlike many major Australian native tree species, the Australian White Cypress is not resistant to fire with regeneration coming from seedlings buried in the ground rather than buds sprouting from the trunk. In excessive fire regions, regeneration is near impossible.

Due to its high value from its resistance to termites and other borers, timber-milling has increased for commercial timber exporting to regions such as England and Japan, leaving large populations at threat. Whilst the Australian Government hasn’t made any commitments in terms of sustainable supply a lot of our natural forest regions are still facing uncertainty in their future.

Native Oils Australia is highly committed to supporting regeneration research and developing a sustainable growth future for the Australian White Cypress. Native Oils Australia sources its supply of White Cypress Oil from environmentally sustainable harvesting farms.

Specifications of Australian White Cypress is available on request. Shoot us an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.?subject=White%20Cypress%20Specs” ‘ + path + ‘\” + prefix + ‘:’ + addy40191 + ‘\’ target=”_blank”>’+addy_text40191+'<\/a>’; //–> to find out more information.

Next time you’re out and about and you stop by a White Cypress, crush a needle in your fingers and take in that fresh Australian pine scent.