Practical
Plants

Cupressus macrocarpa

Monterey 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
vigorous
Height
25 m
Spread
25 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

A decoction of the foliage has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[8].

Product or use
Antirheumatic

Material uses

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

A good fast growing hedge for the milder areas of Britain, tolerating maritime exposure[2][10][13]. It can be trimmed so long as it is not cut back into old wood. Wood - heavy, hard, strong, close-grained and very durable[15]. Used for general construction[11][12].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Hedge

Windbreak

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
Cliffs by the shore in just 2 small locations in California[2][15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
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]. Very tolerant of hot dry conditions[14]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[14] but is then more subject to insect damage in a succession of dry seasons[2]. Requires a sunny position[14]. Plants are not happy when growing on chalk, but they thrive on limestone[7]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[2][13][15] but plants are not very wind firm in shallow soils[5]. Young trees require staking when planted in very exposed positions[13]. This species is somewhat tender in Britain, especially when young and at least in the north of the country Established trees, however, will tolerate occasional temperatures down to about -10°c and are hardy in most British winters[2][14][9]. A tree is 25 metres tall at Kew (1988) but in general they grow better in the western maritime zone[2]. The variety 'Lutea' is hardier than the type and is also more tolerant of wind and salt spray as well as of trimming[6]. New growth takes place from May to September and can be very vigorous when young with new shoots 1 metre long and increases in girth of 5cm or more a year even in old trees[6]. Trees in a very exposed maritime position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall were 12 metres tall after 30 years[13]. Resents root disturbance, it is best planted out when the roots are in active growth in early autumn or spring[14]. Often planted for shelter and ornament, and also occasionally for timber in W. and S. Europe[11]. The cones ripen in their second year[15]. They can remain closed on the tree for a number of years, opening after the heat of a forest fire to scatter their seeds which then germinate and grow quickly in the ashes of the fire[7]. The crushed leaves have a strong scent of lemon verbena[6]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[7].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  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. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩

  10. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  13. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  15. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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