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Arizona Cypress

Cupressus arizonica


Hardiness Zones: 7 - 9   View Map
  • Tolerates hot, dry conditions once established
  • Features gray-green, scale-like needles that closely overlap each other and encircle the branchlets; very soft and aromatic
  • Develops rough, shredding, gray-brown bark
  • Produces wide, dark reddish-brown cones that are 1–1¼" in diameter;  these cones mature at the end of the second year but persist on the tree for many years
  • Works well for Christmas trees, ornamental specimens, windbreaks and erosion control
  • Grows in a pyramidal shape

Tree Details

Shape

Pyramidal

Growth Speed

Medium

Scientific Name

Cupressus arizonica

Mature Height

40' - 50'

Mature Spread

25' - 30'

Shipping Height

8"-1'

Highlights

As the name suggests, this heat- and drought-tolerant cypress is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. While it has a limited reach in terms of hardiness zones, the Arizona cypress is an excellent choice for windbreaks, erosion control, Christmas trees, and landscape ornamentals.

Sun Preference

Full Sun

Soil Preference

Acidic, Alkaline, Drought, Loamy, Sandy, Well Drained

Wildlife Value

The seeds of the Arizona Cypress are consumed by squirrels, ground squirrels and other rodents.

History/Lore

The Arizona Cypress is a native of interior Mexico, extending into the southwestern United States where it is the only native cypress. For a major species it was discovered by Euro-Americans rather recently in history. Credit for the discovery goes to E. L. Greene, who made the find in the 1880s. While authorities do not agree on the taxonomy of the Arizona cypress, two varieties are often listed. Cypressus arizonica has thick, fibrous, coarsely shedding, gray-brown bark and dull gray-green needles with no resinous exudations. Cypressus arizonica var. glabra has smooth bark that exfoliates in papery layers of purple to red and bright blue-green needles with resin glands.

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