Australian Cypress
There is a high degree of color variability in Australian Cypress, as the sapwood can be cream- or straw-colored, while the heartwood ranges from honey-gold to brown, with darker knots throughout to add character. The wood has an aromatic camphor-like odor. Australian Cypress grows in a semi-arid area of Australia, which bestows on it the unique property of being the only commercial softwood that is actually harder than red oak.