Cupressus arizonica

For many years, Arizona cypress has been a sturdy windbreak tree and erosion control in high desert grasslands. It’s equally useful as an ornamental in a large-scale landscape.

Cupressus arizonica, a tall, dense conifer, is native to interior Mexico, extending into the Southwestern United States, where it is the only native cypress. In central Arizona, it is native to 3,000- to 8,000-foot elevations.

Arizona cypress grows as tall as 50-60 feet on a trunk that can reach 2 feet in diameter, although heights of 80 feet and trunk diameters up to 3 feet have been recorded. The crown is dense and conical, spreading to 25 feet at maturity.

Arizona cypress is a steeple-shaped tree with pale-green to gray-blue color. Leaves are tiny and plentiful, closely overlapping each other and encircling the branchlets. Its aroma is pleasing.

Bark is thin and delicate with a reddish-brown color. It splits into strips along the length of the tree.

Cones are dark reddish brown with six to eight raised scales arranged in an irregular globe shape. Cones mature in autumn of the second season but persist on the tree for many years. Tiny yellow flowers are visible in fall, but mostly insignificant.

There are about 30 cultivars grouped under the names C. arizonica var. glabra and C. glabra alternatively by various authors.

It is fast-growing in cultivation, but is short-lived, on average lasting 30-40 years.

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Culture notes

Arizona cypress is most commonly propagated by seed, but cultivars are propagated by rooted cuttings.

It does well when planted on improved soils and when irrigated. It requires at least 10-12 inches of water annually. Full sunlight provides best growth, but watch for sunscald.

Though this tree grows slowly under natural dry conditions, it is a rapid grower (up to 3 feet per year) in cultivation.

Early spring is the best time for planting. For windbreaks, 6-foot spacing in rows is recommended. Pruning to shape is optional.

Its primary enemies are bagworms, mistletoe, cypress bark beetle and rusts.

Phomopsis blight, caused by the fungus Phomopsis juniperovora, is a common and sometimes damaging disease. Although the greatest loss occurs in nurseries, damage may also be seen in landscape plantings. A fungicide treatment program should start shortly after shoot growth begins and before symptoms are seen.

Specifics

Name: Cupressus arizonica.

Common name: Arizona cypress, cedro blanco.

Family: Cuppressaceae.

Description: Medium-sized tree 50-60 feet tall; fine-textured evergreen with a dense, upright conical crown and reddish-brown bark.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, to minus-10°F.

Landscape uses: Lawn specimen or screen; good for windbreak and soil erosion control.

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- Kevin Neal

May 2008