Cypress Logs
for Sale & Wanted
Taxodium distichum — Bald Cypress / Southern Cypress
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a deciduous conifer native to the swamps, bayous, and river bottoms of the southeastern United States. Unlike most conifers, cypress sheds its needles each fall — giving rise to the name 'bald.' The heartwood is pale yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, with a straight, even grain and a distinctive greasy feel when freshly sawn. Its most prized characteristic is extraordinary natural rot resistance, owing to a resinous oil called cypressene in the heartwood. Old-growth 'sinker' cypress pulled from riverbeds can exceed 500 years in age and commands premium prices from specialty millers.
Market Insight — Cypress 2026
Modern second-growth cypress is the dominant market supply, with logs typically harvested from managed stands in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The wood's combination of dimensional stability, natural decay resistance, and workability makes it a preferred choice for siding, shingles, exterior trim, coffin boards, water tanks, docks, and boat interiors. 'Pecky' cypress — cypress containing pockets caused by Stereum taxodii fungus — is a highly sought-after decorative wood for paneling and interior design, often bringing a significant premium over clear stock.
Per the KY Division of Forestry Q3+Q4 2025 report, Cypress sawlog prices in Kentucky run $300-$600/MBF (Doyle) for #1/F2 grade and $500-$900/MBF for Prime/F1. Pallet/utility grade runs $150-$300/MBF. Specialty markets (pecky paneling, sinker, old-growth, marine/restoration grade) occasionally pay 2-3× canonical ranges for exceptional logs ($1,500-$2,500+/MBF). Demand is strongest from coastal builders, boat yards, custom millwork shops, and outdoor furniture manufacturers.
About Cypress Timber
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a deciduous conifer native to the swamps, bayous, and river bottoms of the southeastern United States. Unlike most conifers, cypress sheds its needles each fall — giving rise to the name 'bald.' The heartwood is pale yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, with a straight, even grain and a distinctive greasy feel when freshly sawn. Its most prized characteristic is extraordinary natural rot resistance, owing to a resinous oil called cypressene in the heartwood. Old-growth 'sinker' cypress pulled from riverbeds can exceed 500 years in age and commands premium prices from specialty millers.
Modern second-growth cypress is the dominant market supply, with logs typically harvested from managed stands in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The wood's combination of dimensional stability, natural decay resistance, and workability makes it a preferred choice for siding, shingles, exterior trim, coffin boards, water tanks, docks, and boat interiors. 'Pecky' cypress — cypress containing pockets caused by Stereum taxodii fungus — is a highly sought-after decorative wood for paneling and interior design, often bringing a significant premium over clear stock.
Per the KY Division of Forestry Q3+Q4 2025 report, Cypress sawlog prices in Kentucky run $300-$600/MBF (Doyle) for #1/F2 grade and $500-$900/MBF for Prime/F1. Pallet/utility grade runs $150-$300/MBF. Specialty markets (pecky paneling, sinker, old-growth, marine/restoration grade) occasionally pay 2-3× canonical ranges for exceptional logs ($1,500-$2,500+/MBF). Demand is strongest from coastal builders, boat yards, custom millwork shops, and outdoor furniture manufacturers.
Exterior Siding
Natural weather resistance
Boat Building
Interiors, coamings, trim
Decks & Docks
Decay resistant in wet service
Pecky Paneling
Decorative interior feature walls
Cypress Grades & What Buyers Pay
| Grade | Key Requirements | Typical Buyers | Delivered Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime / Select | 16"+ SED, 10'+ clear face | Specialty mills, restoration, marine | $500–$900/MBF (KY KDF F1) · specialty pecky/sinker premiums apply |
| Select / No. 1 | 14"+ SED, 8'+ clear face | Millwork shops, siding manufacturers | $150–$300/MBF |
| No. 2 / Standard | 12"+ SED, 6'+ clear | Fence mills, dimensional lumber producers | $150–$300/MBF |
| Pecky / Character | 12"+ SED, sound pecky pockets | Panel mills, custom interior shops | $1,500–$2,500+/MBF (pecky/sinker specialty premium beyond KDF) |
Tips for Selling Cypress
- Separate heartwood from sapwood. Only the heartwood carries cypress's famous rot resistance. Sapwood rots like any other softwood. Mills pay premium prices for all-heart cypress, so if your logs have significant sapwood, note it honestly in your listing — buyers will ask.
- Pecky cypress is a feature, not a defect. If your logs contain the characteristic fungal pockets, list them as pecky cypress and expect a premium. Don't mix pecky and clear logs in the same load unless you're selling at the lower price — they have different buyers.
- Old-growth / sinker cypress commands special treatment. If you have very old-growth logs or recovered sinker cypress (pulled from rivers or swamps), contact specialty cypress mills directly. Pricing for this material is negotiated, not by standard grade schedules — $2,000-$5,000/MBF is possible for exceptional stock.
- Mind the species — Southern vs. Pond. Buyers distinguish bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) from pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens). Bald cypress is preferred for most commercial uses. Pond cypress is still marketable but at slightly lower prices due to more variable grain.
- Plan transport carefully. Cypress logs from deep-swamp sites often need specialty hauling. Account for access cost when quoting — a buyer paying $700/MBF at the gate won't help you much if trucking is $300/MBF.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cypress Logs
What are cypress logs worth?
Per the Kentucky Division of Forestry Q3+Q4 2025 Delivered Log Price Report, Cypress sawlogs trade $300-$600/MBF Doyle for #1/F2 grade and $500-$900/MBF for Prime/F1. Pallet/utility grade runs $150-$300/MBF. Cypress does not have a separate KDF column for pecky (fungal pocket), sinker (river-salvage), or old-growth/quartersawn millwork specialty material — these specialty markets occasionally pay 2-3× canonical ranges for exceptional logs ($1,500-$2,500+/MBF for sinker or premium millwork).
Why is cypress lumber expensive?
Cypress's price reflects three factors: (1) limited range — productive cypress swamps exist only in the southeastern coastal plain; (2) slow growth — merchantable logs are often 60-100+ years old; (3) exceptional rot resistance, which makes it the default choice for outdoor applications where pressure-treated pine is unacceptable. As old-growth supply has dwindled, second-growth cypress has become the standard, but prices remain well above pine or fir.
What is pecky cypress?
Pecky cypress is heartwood containing small, elongated pockets caused by the fungus Stereum taxodii. The fungus only attacks older trees and stops growing once the tree is milled. The resulting pockets create a striking rustic pattern highly prized for paneling, accent walls, cabinetry, and ceiling beams. Pecky cypress typically commands a 30-50% premium over standard cypress.
Can I sell cypress logs outside the Deep South?
Yes. While most cypress stands are in the Gulf states, buyers source logs nationwide — especially restoration contractors, custom millwork shops, and boat builders in the Northeast and Midwest. Scattered cypress grows north into the Ohio River bottoms and southern Illinois. If you have merchantable cypress in the Appalachian region or beyond, post it on JMLogMarket to reach buyers directly.
How is cypress graded?
Cypress logs are graded on diameter, clear face length, and soundness — similar to hardwood grading rules. Prime grade requires 16"+ small-end diameter with 10+ feet of clear face. Select is 14"+ SED with 8+ feet clear. No. 2 is 12"+ SED with some allowable defect. Pecky cypress is graded separately based on pocket distribution and the percentage of character in the face.
Is cypress better than pressure-treated pine for outdoor use?
For most exposed applications, yes. Untreated cypress heartwood naturally resists rot, fungus, and insects for 30-50+ years, compared to 15-25 years for pressure-treated pine in direct ground contact. Cypress is also dimensionally stable and accepts finishes well. Sapwood does not have the same rot resistance as heartwood — quality cypress for outdoor use should be all-heart material.
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