Practical
Plants

Cupressus arizonica

Arizona Cypress

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cupressus genus in the family Cupressaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
25 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Trees are very drought tolerant and are planted on slopes in its native range in order to prevent soil erosion[7]. Wood - soft, close-grained[9]. Hard, heavy and durable according to another report[7]. Used for general construction and fuel[9].

Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Earth stabiliser

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California to Texas and New Mexico, south to Mexico.
Habitat
Rocky or gravelly soils of canyons and ravines, 1000 - 2650 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[4]. Three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[4]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. The seedlings are very subject to damping off so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can store for several years[3]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, September in a frost-proof frame[1]. April/May is the best time to take cuttings[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives in a well-drained loamy or peaty soil[2]. Established plants are very tolerant of hot dry conditions and of drought[10]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[10] but is then more subject to insect damage in a succession of dry seasons[2]. Requires a sunny position[10]. A fast-growing and long-lived tree in the wild[7], this species is the hardiest member of the genus[2], though it is still somewhat tender in Britain, at least in the north of the country[2]. It succeeds in most of Britain once it is established[10]. The sub-species A. arizonica glabra. (Sudw.)Little. is a very hardy form, thriving in any soil from chalk to acid sands, this is the form most commonly grown in Britain[6]. Trees are fairly fast-growing in Britain, new growth takes place from late May until mid-September and can reach 60cm per year on young trees[5]. Cultivated as a timber tree in Italy and occasionally in other parts of Europe[8]. The young tree has an attractive pyramidal shape and is widely grown as a Christmas tree in its native range[7]. The seed takes two summers to develop[7]. Mature cones often remain closed on the tree[10], only opening after the heat of a forest fire[6]. Plants are subject to injury by the wind[2][10]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

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  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  10. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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