Lyptus is a hardwood hybrid derived from two Eucalyptus species: the Eucalyptus Grandis and the Eucalyptus Urophylla. The Lyptus tree was created to help preserve Brazil's already exhausted natural ecosystem. It's unique in the fact that a Lyptus tree stump is capable of reproducing saplings after the first harvest. Unlike most hardwood varieties that can only be harvested every 70 to 80 years, Lyptus is ready for harvest every 15 years. In fact, in the same amount of time it takes a mahogany tree to mature, 4 crops of Lyptus can be produced.
Lyptus is a closed-grain wood similar to Mahogany, with a hardness that's comparable to Brazilian Cherry. These attributes make Lyptus a popular floor type for a wide range of household areas.
The cutting down of Lyptus does not affect old growth forests*, as so many other hardwoods do. This is significant as old growth forests tend to support a higher level of biodiversity, and are often home to threatened and endangered species.
Despite Lyptus' green characteristics, the manufacturer of the Brazilian Lyptus, Aracruz Celulose S.A. has refused to obtain certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Aracruz Celulose S.A. states that they don't want to get licensed because they feel that current certification programs are too limiting. There's speculation that their refusal to get certified is an indication that some of their forestry practices are not entirely eco-friendly. On top of this, Aracruz has a reputation for procuring land intended for indigenous tribes.
*Old growth forest is an aged forest that exemplifies distinct biological aspects. Is also referred to as: primary forest, primeval forest and ancient forest.
