Cupressus

cupressus

( kuh - PRESS - uss )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Cypress, these evergreen trees need full sun and little to moderate water, though water needs vary somewhat depending on the species. They have tiny, scale leaves closely set along branches. Cones are about the size of golf balls. These trees are easy to care for and do not need much in the way of pruning. Take care when planting these in your landscape, as they release high levels of pollen for seven months out of the year and have a high potential for allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

cupressus Species and Varietals

The genus Cupressus is the type genus member of the Cypress plant family, Cupressaceae. The number of species within the genus varies depending on the source consulted, from 16 to 25 or more. Many species have been moved to other closely related genera, including Hesperocyparis. Most natural populations are relatively small and geographically isolated. The best zones to grow Cypress vary depending on the species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Cupressus atlantica (Moroccan Cypress, Atlas Cypress, Azel, Cyprès de l'Atlas, Cyprès du Maroc, Atlantic Cypress)
Native to Morocco, this species is critically endangered due to overgrazing by goats. Foliage is blue-green and there is a resin spot on each leaf. Trees can reach up to 115 feet tall in their native range, but are typically seen much smaller in garden cultivation. The best growing zones for this species are USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b.

Cupressus cashmeriana (Kashmir Cypress, Bhutan Cypress, Bhutan Weeping Cypress, Weeping Blue Cypress)
This species is best in IUSDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9 and 14-24, and is native to Kashmir and Tibet. It forms a narrow pyramid to 40-60 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide, with upright main branches that produce flattened branches of aromatic bluish-green foliage. This species does best with regular water, and is not tolerant of strong winds or high temperatures.

Cupressus duclouxiana (Chinese Cypress, Yunnan Cypress, Ducloux Cypress, Gan Xiang Bai)
This species is endemic to China, where it prefers to grow in deep river gorges in mountain forests. Most wild populations of this species have been cut down due to logging activities. In May 2023, a member of this species was crowned the tallest tree in Asia at 336 feet tall. The species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7a-9b.

Cupressus dupreziana (Saharan Cypress, Tarout, Duprez Cypress, Tassili Cypress, Algerian Cypress, Cyprès de Duprez)
This very rare conifer is native to southeast Algeria, where there are just over 200 species left in the population. These trees are occasionally cultivated in Europe, where they are studied for conservation purposes, as well as used as ornamental landscape trees. The ideal growing zones for these trees are USDA hardiness zones 7-10.

Cupressus funebris (Chinese Weeping Cypress, Mourning Cypress, Chinese Coffin Tree, Funereal Cypress, Weeping Cypress)
These trees are native to Vietnam and China, and reach between 65 and 115 feet tall at maturity. Foliage is bright green. These trees are commonly grown as ornamentals in landscapes, and has a graceful, weeping structure and grows well in warm, temperate regions (USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b). The specific epithet is Latin for 'funeral', referring to the tree's traditional use in cemeteries and its somber, weeping form.

Cupressus gigantea (Tibetan Cypress, Tsangpo Cypress, Tsangpo River Cypress, Ju Bai)
These trees are endemic to southeast Tibet and China and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10. This species is the largest in the genus, the largest known specimen (aptly named 'King Cypress') being 164 feet tall and living for 2,600 years in Tibet. These trees are valued for their extreme drought tolerance and ability to thrive in dry valleys at high altitudes.

Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress, Mediterranean Cypress, Tuscan Cypress, Persian Cypress, Pencil Pine, Graveyard Cypress)
This species of Cypress grows well in zones 4-24, H1 and H2 but is best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 8-15 and 18-21. It is native to southern Europe and western Asia, and has horizontal branches and dark green foliage. Varieties are described and pictured below.

' Stricta' ('Fastigiata') (Columnar Italian Cypress)
A classic Mediterranean landscaping plant with green foliage. Forms a dense, narrow tree reaching 60 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide.

'Glauca'
(Blue Italian Cypress)
A narrow tree reaching 60 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide. A classic landscaping plant for Mediterranean landscapes with blue-green foliage.

'Swane's Golden'
Narrow columnar form with gold-yellow new foliage.

'Tiny Tower'
A smaller variety, only reaching 8 feet tall and 2 feet wide in 10 years, with deep blue-green foliage.

Caring for Cupressus

Choose a planting site that receives full sun. These trees need 6 hours minimum of full sun exposure each day for optimal growth. Do not plant Cypress trees in the defensible zone around homes or other buildings; these are very flammable trees and are not recommended for planting in fire-prone regions. Cypress trees thrive in well-draining soil and can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy and loamy. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. They prefer soil to have an acidic to neutral pH (between 5.0 and 7.5). Apply a layer of mulch around the base of trees after installation to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth and regulate soil temperature fluctuations. Young trees will need consistent moisture until they are established in the landscape. Mature trees should be watered deeply and infrequently; allow the top few inches of soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent fungal diseases from taking hold.

These plants do not need to be fertilized, but a dressing with organic compost in springtime of every year is recommended to keep soil fertile. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. The best time to prune these trees is in late winter or early springtime; prune in dry weather to avoid foliar and vascular diseases from developing. Keep prunings light; heavy cuts tend to stress out these trees. For the most part, they take beautiful natural forms when left to their own devices, and really do not need much in the way of pruning. These trees are notably long-lived (the oldest recorded Cypress is thousands of years old); they do not need to be replaced often.

Propagation

Cypress trees are best propagated using cuttings. To propagate your tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cupressus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Between the months of January and March, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a branch and strip the leaves off the lower two inches. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new tree.

Problems and Pests

Fire Safety Warning
Most Cypress species are considered highly flammable and present significant fire hazards in landscapes, especially when situated within 100 feet of any structure. Do not plant Cypress trees in the defensible space zone around homes.

Cypress trees are typically resistant to most pests and disease, though they can have issues from time to time with the following: