Difference between revisions of "Leylandii Wood"

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Leylandii wood is [[Timber basics#Durability|moderately durable]], with better [[Wood Rot|rot]] resistance than [[Timber basics|whitewood or redwood]].
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===Rot resistance===
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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 rot resistance. These are found in the heartwood. Carvacrol is antiseptic & fungicidal.
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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 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.
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Leylandii has [[:Category:Pests|mosquito]] repellant properties.
 
Leylandii has [[:Category:Pests|mosquito]] repellant properties.
  
High resin content can make a mess on [[Saws|saw blades]]. Resin can be cleaned off with solvent.
 
  
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===Resin===
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High resin content can make a mess on [[Saws|saw blades]]. Resin can be cleaned off with a solvent.
  
DIY Uses: general building work where high resin content is acceptable, such as framing, trusses, joists, etc.
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Resin also makes it not take [[paint]] well, as any resin seepage breaks up the paint surface.
  
It is also good for timber that will be oiled rather than [[paint]]ed, so can be used for [[Sheds|cladding]] and other exterior uses if it is not to be [[paint]]ed.
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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.
  
  
The question of its use for chopping boards has been raised, since Carvacrol is fungicidal and microbicidal. Carvacrol is the principle constituent of oil of origanum.
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===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).
  
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Probably the ideal use then is where
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* it will be used outdoors ([[Wood Rot|rot]] resistance)
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* it won't be [[paint]]ed
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* it will be used in large section (resin on blades) (low cost)
  
References:
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Examples include:
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* [[fence]] posts
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* [[Sheds|shed]] framing
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* 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.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Availability===
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* Not found at many timber merchants
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* Harvesting one's own
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* 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.
 
* 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==
 
==See Also==
[[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]]
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* [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]]
 
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* [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]
[[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]
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* [[:Category:Wood|All wiki wood articles]]
  
[[:Category:Wood|All wiki wood articles]]
 
  
  
 
[[Category:Supplies]]
 
[[Category:Supplies]]
 
[[Category:Wood]]
 
[[Category:Wood]]

Revision as of 04:54, 24 December 2008

Leylandii wood is plentiful for some DIYers, and Leylandii are widely grown for construction timber in some countries, so lets look at its properties.


Rot resistance

Leylandii wood is moderately durable, with better rot resistance than whitewood or redwood.

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

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

Leylandii has mosquito repellant properties.


Resin

High resin content can make a mess on 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 oiled rather than painted, so can be used for cladding and other exterior uses if you're confident it won't be painted (now or in future).

Probably the ideal use then is where

  • it will be used outdoors (rot resistance)
  • it won't be painted
  • it will be used in large section (resin on blades) (low cost)

Examples include:

  • fence posts
  • 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.


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