View source for Leylandii Wood

[[image:Cupressocyparis_leylandii_(%3F)0.jpg|right|300px]]

'''Leylandii wood''' is plentiful for some DIYers, and Leylandii are widely grown for construction timber in some countries. So it has some good properties and DIY uses.


===Rot resistance===
Leylandii wood is [[Timber basics#Durability|moderately durable]], with better [[Wood Rot|rot]] resistance than [[Timber basics#Qualities|whitewood or redwood]].

It has 2 strong biocidal chemicals, carvacrol and nootkatone. These are both fungicidal, giving it good [[Wood Rot|rot]] resistance. These are found in the heartwood. Carvacrol is antiseptic & fungicidal.

Leylandii also has good [[:Category:Pests|termite]] resistance due to the carvacrol and nootkatone in the wood, though this is not an important issue in Britain.

Leylandii has [[:Category:Pests|mosquito]] repellant properties.


===Resin===
High resin content can make a mess on [[Saws|saw blades]]. Resin can be cleaned off with a solvent. 

Resin also makes it not take [[paint]] well, as any resin seepage breaks up the paint surface.

If resin is ever wanted (eg for non-DIY uses) it can be harvested by a long low temp [[heating]] of the wood, eg in a relatively cool oven. The resin then comes to the surface and is scraped off. Avoid overheating the resin, 100C is too hot.


===DIY Uses===
Leylandii are good for general building work where high resin content is acceptable, such as framing, trusses, joists, etc.

Its also good for timber that will be [[Wood Preservatives|oiled]] rather than [[paint]]ed, so can be used for [[Sheds|cladding]] and other exterior uses if you're confident it won't be [[paint]]ed (now or in future).

Probably the ideal use then is where
* it will be used outdoors ([[Wood Rot|rot]] resistance)
* it won't be [[paint]]ed
* it will be used in large section (resin on blades) (low cost)

Examples include:
* [[fence]] posts
* [[Sheds|shed]] framing
* general outdoor woodwork

The question of its use for chopping boards has also been raised, since Carvacrol is fungicidal and microbicidal. Carvacrol is the principle constituent of [[oil]] of origanum.

Its also sometimes used as firewood once dried out. It spits a lot, but provides plenty of [[heat]], so is good in closed [[wood]] burners, but a total liability in open fires.

===Availability===
* Not found at many timber merchants
* Harvesting one's own
* Freecycle etc


===References===
* The sesquiterpenoid nootkatone and the absolute configuration of a dibromo derivative. Anne M. Sauer, Frank R. Fronczek, Betty C. R. Zhu, William E. Crowe, Gregg Henderson and Roger A. Laine.


===See Also===
* [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]]
* [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]
* [[:Category:Wood|All wiki wood articles]]



[[Category:Supplies]]
[[Category:Wood]]