Practical
Plants

Cupressus torulosa

Himalayan 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
Height
40 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

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

The plant is burnt as an incense[11][4]. The leaves are used[9]. Wood - moderately hard, very durable. Used for general construction[11][12][4][9].

Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Drier areas, especially on limestone, often in pure stands, from Himachel Pradesh to central Nepal at elevations of 1800 - 3300 metres[11][4][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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[5]. Three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[5]. 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]. Prefers cooler wetter summers than other members of this genus[7]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[13] but is then more subject to insect damage in a succession of dry seasons[2]. Requires a sunny position[13]. Subject to injury by the wind. Prefers a pH of 6 or lower[7]. This species is somewhat tender in Britain, succeeding only in the milder areas of the country, though some provenances should prove hardier[13]. Trees are slow growing in most of Britain, though growth is much faster in S.W. England and S. Ireland[6]. This species is planted on a small scale as a timber tree in Italy[10]. Cones 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 away quickly in the ashes of the fire[7]. The crushed foliage smells of lawn mowings[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

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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. 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. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  9. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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  11. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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