Why Macrocarpa is the Best Wood for Garden Beds and Outdoor Furniture in NZ
From backyard vegetable patches to custom-made outdoor chairs, your choice of wood has a big impact on how long things last and how they affect the environment. Many New Zealanders building garden beds or outdoor furniture now prefer macrocarpa wood. It grows in New Zealand, lasts a long time , and doesn't need harsh chemicals to treat it.
This blog explores macrocarpa's features, its eco-friendly aspects, and how it stacks up against other woods like treated pine. If you're into home gardening, DIY projects, or looking for rustic durable outdoor items, this guide will help you decide what's best.
What Is Macrocarpa?
Macrocarpa, also called Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa), grows as a softwood tree native to California but thrives in New Zealand as timber. People love it for its pretty golden color, close grain, and sweet smell. In NZ, macrocarpa has earned a good name for its ability to resist decay making it perfect to use outdoors in things like raised garden beds, fences, benches, and tables.
At Plankville, we use macrocarpa slabs and flitches from nearby sources, great for green projects that need both looks and long life.
Tough Without Chemicals
One of macrocarpa's key traits is its natural toughness when you compare it to woods like treated pine. It has oils and resins that help it fight off fungi and bugs, so you don't need to use chemical preservatives.
This is why people love macrocarpa for vegetable garden beds, as they want to avoid chemicals seeping into the soil. Treated pine often comes with CCA (copper, chrome, arsenic) or ACQ treatments, which aren't great when they touch edible plants. Macrocarpa however, gives you a purer more natural growing space.
Macrocarpa vs Treated Pine: What's the Difference?
Although treated pine is often the choice for projects on a tight budget, it has its drawbacks. Here's how macrocarpa stacks up in important areas:
1. Lifespan: Macrocarpa survives 10–15 years or more when it touches the ground (and even longer when it doesn't), without any special treatments. Treated pine might last just as long, but because of chemicals.
2. Looks: Macrocarpa has a pretty golden-brown color that turns into a silvery grey over time, perfect for rustic or modern outdoor spaces. Treated pine looks... well, like it's been treated.
3. Safety for Garden Use: Macrocarpa has no toxicity making it ideal for organic gardening. Treated pine might release chemicals into the soil as time passes.
4. Environmental Impact: Macrocarpa grows in New Zealand, and local mills often process it, which reduces transport emissions. Treated pine requires chemical processing and grows in shorter cycles, which makes it less friendly in the long term.
Do you need more guidance to pick timber? Take a look at our timber selection guide to discover which timber fits your project best.
Sustainability and Local Impact
Eco-minded Kiwis are picking macrocarpa more often because it meets several green criteria. It thrives in New Zealand's climate, needs no harmful processing, and local mills often cut and dry it, cutting down on carbon emissions.
When you compare it to foreign hardwoods or processed softwoods, macrocarpa helps local businesses while keeping projects green. Plankville gets its macrocarpa from nearby farms and sawmills, which means less waste and better tracking.
Ways to Use Macrocarpa in Outdoor Projects
Macrocarpa isn't just tough—it's adaptable too. Here are some ways our customers at Plankville have used macrocarpa in their yards and outdoor areas:
Raised Garden Beds: People love these because they last long and don't have chemicals.
Outdoor Benches and Tables: These resist weather on their own so you don't need paint or sealants.
Retaining Walls and Edging: These stand up well to pressure and the elements.
Pergolas and Screening: These add warmth and texture when used in structures.
Check out our DIY timber project guides to get ideas for your next macrocarpa project.
Caring for Macrocarpa
Macrocarpa lasts a long time, but some upkeep can make it last longer and look better:
To achieve a long-lasting golden color, apply natural oils or exterior-grade sealers each year.
To allow natural aging, leave it untreated and enjoy the soft grey patina that develops.
Prevent ground saturation—elevate garden beds or use gravel underneath for drainage.
These easy steps will help you maximize the value of your macrocarpa investment.
Cost Considerations
Yes, macrocarpa costs more upfront than treated pine. But when you consider:
Its extended lifespan
No need to seal or use chemicals
Better looks and feel
Safety for food-growing areas
... the investment proves worthwhile in the long run.
Many of our customers at Plankville find it hard to believe how macrocarpa prices can compete when buying rough-sawn slabs or offcuts to build things themselves.
A Wood That Lasts for Ages
Macrocarpa offers more than just good looks. It's a tough, eco-friendly, and non-toxic wood that fills the growing need in NZ for chemical-free gardens, eye-catching outdoor furniture, and sturdy landscaping materials. If you plan to build a raised garden bed, make a bench, or design a pergola, macrocarpa gives you both top performance and green credentials.
At Plankville, we back NZ-grown timber and green building methods. When you're set to kick off your next outdoor project, take a look at our range of macrocarpa slabs and timber—or get in touch with us to talk about your custom cut requirements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Yes. Macrocarpa has no treatment and contains no toxins, which makes it perfect for food gardens.
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With smart design and basic upkeep, macrocarpa can last 10–15 years or more outside.
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Macrocarpa beats treated pine for garden beds and eco-friendly projects. It lasts longer, looks nicer, and is safer to use. But treated pine might cost less at first.
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You don't have to oil or seal it. If you want to keep its golden color, you can oil it. Or you can let it age on its own.
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At Plankville, we sell macrocarpa slabs, flitches, and custom cuts for all your outdoor projects.
