In a couple of weeks I am going to try to build my first ‘heirloom’ piece. A toy box for grandsons 5th birthday. The other day I went to Woodcraft and a local lumber yard just to get so ideas for wood. At the lumber yard they had some Cypress that I really liked. I have tried to find some information about working with Cypress but could not find out much. Do you think this would be good for long term? Is there any characteristics I should be concerned with? This will be the B grade not speckled or sinkers. I was also going to use walnut as an accent wood. 
 

Thanks

My concerns would be:

Is the stock from the lumber yard kiln dried?

And what is the current moisture content?

also on some that I've built in the past I cut the top edge of the box on the front and sides down 1.5" to provide room for to prevent little fingers from getting crushed.  I left just the corner 2-3" at full height to support the lid.

 

Cypress works a lot like pine in that it is a soft hardwood.  I've used it a bit on a few outside projects and finished with paint so I cannot speak to it's staining characteristics.  For a toybox use, I suspect it will hold up as well as any lumber.  It may dent easier than oak, adding character in the long run

1 hour ago, John Hechel said:

My concerns would be:

Is the stock from the lumber yard kiln dried?

And what is the current moisture content?

also on some that I've built in the past I cut the top edge of the box on the front and sides down 1.5" to provide room for to prevent little fingers from getting crushed.  I left just the corner 2-3" at full height to support the lid.

 

I am not sure moisture content but it is kiln dried. Thanks for the tip.

Cypress left unfinished will wear to a soft to touch and smooth gray. It is softer than pine and I am not sure how well it would hold screws for hinges. My Grandmothers house was build with it and she had at least two swings that got so much use they were replaced. Would probably be much lighter than other woods you could use.