Cypress and pine are two distinct types of evergreen coniferous trees, each with unique characteristics that make them suitable for different applications. Cypress trees, particularly the bald cypress, are known for their small rounded woody cones and flattened shoots adorned with small, scale-like leaves.
These features give cypress trees a distinctive appearance and contribute to their dense wood structure.
On the other hand, pine trees are easily recognizable by their long needle-shaped leaves and large cones. These coniferous trees belong to the genus Pinus and have a faster growth rate compared to cypress. The long needles and large cones of pine trees are not just visually striking but also play a role in their rapid growth and wood porosity. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right wood for specific needs, such as beehives.
Cypress is denser and more rot-resistant than pine, thanks to its slow growth and natural preservative, cypressene, making it ideal for beehives.
Pine is an affordable, fast-growing wood, widely available but prone to rot and insects, making it less durable than cypress for outdoor uses.
Beekeepers choosing between cypress and pine should weigh cypress’s longevity against pine’s affordability, considering durability, maintenance, and long-term investment for hives.
Table of Contents
Why Use Cypress For Beehives? What Is Cypressene? Cypress Vs. Pine For Beekeeping Pine Wood For Beehives Cypress Wood For Beehives Old Growth Vs New Growth Bald Cypress Old Growth Cypress Wood New Growth Cypress Wood Durability and Maintenance Cost and Availability The Wood We Use For Our Beehives Conclusion
Why Use Cypress For Beehives?
Pine, cedar, poplar, and cypress are common woods used for bee hives . All woods have positives and negatives, especially when used for beekeeping equipment.
In Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, cypress and pine are both popular woods for making beehives. These two options are popular in the south because both species naturally grow there. Cedar wood is more popular in the north, where it naturally grows.
Pine is popular because it is inexpensive, grows quickly, and is easy to cut. Cypress is popular as it grows slowly in wet areas, creating a denser wood with tight growth rings.
The tight rings and naturally present preservative cypressene minimize decay, allowing cypress bee hives to last longer than any beekeeper does.
Pine grows quickly and rots quickly; Cypress grows slowly and rots slowly
What Is Cypressene?
What makes cypress wood unique among other woods is a natural ability to produce a preservative called cypressene. The presence of this in the wood naturally slows down waters’ ability to deteriorate the wood as well as insects desire to chew through the wood. This is why cypress wood is popular for any outdoor use like fences, docks, railroad ties and beehives.
Cypress Vs. Pine For Beekeeping
Notice the wide space between growth rings in pine boards, about 5 rings per inch. Pine, a type of soft timber, grows quickly and is easy to cut, which is why it is so popular with suppliers. Fewer rings per inch means faster growth and more porous wood.
Pine Wood For Beehives
Standard beekeeping equipment in the US is made from 3/4-inch thick pine wood and is the standard wood used by most beekeeping supply companies like Mann Lake, Kelly Bees, and Dadant.
There are many pine species, each with unique characteristics, but they all share the common trait of rapid growth. The pine used for beehives and much of the lumber you see at Home Depot or Lowes is a naturally a porous wood which is good and bad.
Pine is quick growing and easy to cut, which is why it is so popular with suppliers, but definitely has it’s negatives.
Quick growing pine wood means your beekeeping equipment can be cheaper, but the advantages stop there. The reason pine grows so quickly is their trunks have large channels transport sap and water up and down the trunk to support their fast growth.
Notice the tight space between growth rings in cypress boards , about 10 per inch. Twice as dense as pine wood is in our example.
Cypress Wood For Beehives
Cypress, one of the many evergreen trees, can cost more upfront but will hold up well outside. This means that Cypress wood can easily last 50+ years when taken care of, proving a better investment in the long term.
It is also a more beautiful wood to use, which may mean nothing to you. The bees certainly don’t care and it is used for both deep, medium boxes and honey supers . The wood can actually be left unpainted because of cypress’ natural resistance to decay.
Cypress wood’s slow growth patterns make the wood less porous and susceptible to rot. When looking at cypress, you’ll notice the grain on the wood is much tighter and there are more growth rings per inch.
You can compare the pictures here of pinewood and cypress wood end-grain and see the difference between the two. In the cypress wood, the tight layers are just a part of what makes cypress wood so great for beehives.
Old Growth Vs New Growth Bald Cypress
Cypress, an evergreen coniferous tree, first harvested today is not the same as when first harvested in the early 1900s. We know this and you will often hear “Cypress isn’t any better than pine at preventing decay because it’s not old-growth wood. That new growth wood doesn’t do jack”. Have you heard that or something along those lines? You see it a lot in social media where people like to sound off.
Old Growth Cypress Wood
The “old growth” cypress from large trees is hard to find in the wild . Cypress trees produce both male and female cones, which are essential for their reproduction.
If harvested, the wood is so valuable it would not be turned into bee boxes . Think of old-growth cypress as the very middle of a very large cypress tree. It’s the core, the creme de la creme of cypress wood.
It takes a very old, large tree to harvest “old growth” wood. And if you get it, you definitely won’t be turning it into a beehive.
Old-growth cypress wood is reserved for specialty products like veneer, luxury dashboards, and very expensive guitars.
This type of lumber has more of the cypressene in it that prevents decay and is better than new growth lumber, but the new lumber is still plenty resistant to rotting.
Cypress knees pushing up from below the tree and out of the water as the tree grows
New Growth Cypress Wood
Modern cypress is called “new growth” or “second growth” cypress. In addition to cypress, other wood species like Douglas Fir are also used in various applications due to their unique properties.
However, “old growth” and “new growth” come from the same tree, Bald Cypress.
The “new growth” cypress does not have the same dense core as the giant trees from the 1900s. But because cypress grows in or near water, it is a very dense piece of wood.
The water stalls the growth of the trees, creating tight growth rings and reducing the air pockets that develop during drying.
The USDA still classifies “new growth” cypress to be moderately decay resistant, moderately heavy, moderately strong, and moderately hard.
Sounds like a good, affordable, long-lasting wood for bee hives. Compared side by side with pine, cypress is always much denser and stronger than pine.
Durability and Maintenance
When it comes to durability and maintenance, cypress and pine wood have distinct characteristics. Cypress wood is renowned for its natural resistance to rot and insects, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications like fencing, decking, and beehives.
This resistance is due to the presence of cypressene, a natural preservative that enhances the wood’s longevity. Cypress grows slowly, resulting in a denser wood with tight growth rings, which makes it less porous and more resistant to decay.
In contrast, pine is a softer timber that is more susceptible to rot and insect damage. However, its affordability and ease of cutting make it a popular choice for many applications. Pine can be treated with preservatives to extend its lifespan, but it still doesn’t match the natural durability of cypress. For beekeepers, this means weighing the initial cost against long-term maintenance when choosing between these two wood species.
Cost and Availability
The cost and availability of cypress and pine wood can vary significantly depending on the region and supplier. Generally, cypress wood is more expensive than pine, especially when considering high-quality, old-growth cypress. This higher cost is offset by cypress’s durability and long-lasting nature, making it a worthwhile investment for projects that require longevity, such as beehives.
Pine, on the other hand, is widely available and often less expensive than cypress. Its rapid growth rate and ease of processing contribute to its lower cost. Additionally, western red cedar, another type of coniferous tree, is a popular alternative to both cypress and pine. Western red cedar offers a balance of durability and cost, making it a viable option for various woodworking projects, including beehives.
The Wood We Use For Our Beehives
All of our Langstroth equipment is made from cypress wood. Pine refers to an evergreen coniferous tree characterized by clusters of long needle-shaped leaves, making it a popular choice for beekeeping equipment. Our medium, deep, 10 frame , 8 frame , 5 frame beekeeping equipment is all made from Cypress.
This is not only for the reasons listed above but also because we use cypress wood for our own bees. We love using our 7/8-inch cypress beehives because they work so well for us. The strength, eye appeal, and durability of our equipment are incredible.
Neither we nor our bees were disappointed with cypress. You will not be either.
Happy Beekeeping.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cypress and pine are two distinct types of evergreen coniferous trees, each with unique characteristics, durability, and maintenance requirements. Cypress is a more durable and long-lasting option, thanks to its natural resistance to rot and insects, but it comes at a higher cost.
Pine, while more affordable and widely available, is a softer wood that is more prone to rot and insect damage. The choice between cypress and pine ultimately depends on the specific application, budget, and desired outcome.
By understanding the characteristics and differences between these two wood species, individuals can make informed decisions about which wood to use for their projects, ensuring the best results for their beehives and other applications.
Adam Hickman owns Foxhound Bee Company and is a certified EAS Master Beekeeper. Before ever selling a box through Foxhound Bee Company, Adam wrote beekeeping blogs for education. Adam regularly teaches beekeeping classes through Foxhound Bee Co and also through his local beekeeping club.
