Remodelers can add another option to their list of sustainable building materials. Lyptus hardwood, developed by Aracruz Wood Products and distributed through Weyerhaeuser, is a high-grade mix of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus europhyla that is grown in Brazil on plantations interspersed with indigenous trees, giving balance to the local ecosystem. Lyptus is not a rain-forest species and can produce 30 times the volume of wood per acre as an average species, Weyerhaeuser says.
Growing the trees in the warm South American climate also has advantages. Lyptus can be harvested every 10 to 12 years — about one-fifth the time that would be required in cooler climates, according to the company.
With the grain of fine mahogany and a cherry-wood tone, Lyptus is suitable for interior applications such as paneling, flooring and architectural millwork.
For more information, visit www.lyptus.com.br or call Weyerhaeuser at 877/235-6873.