Arizona cypress.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Evergreen conifer

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 14 to 30 days

Mature size

12 to 18 meters

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 9

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Entretien

Plant in a spot with excellent drainage to prevent root issues. Monitor for signs of drought stress during the first year, though it is quite hardy once established. Keep an eye out for common pests like spider mites if the air is consistently dry.

Watering

Water deeply but infrequently once established to encourage deep root growth.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring if growth appears sluggish.

Pruning

Prune in late winter to maintain shape or remove dead branches.

Repotting

Repot only if container-grown and root-bound.

Soil

Well-draining, rocky, or sandy soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperature

-15 to 40°C

Humidity

20 to 50%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 50 to 100 years.

Fragrance

light

Deer and rabbits

high

Sécurité

People

The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals upon contact.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The foliage is somewhat prickly and should be kept away from small children to prevent minor scratches.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage may cause dermatitis in some people.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is a known allergen during the spring release period.

Edibility

This plant is not intended for human consumption.

Comment l'identifier

• Conical evergreen growth habit
• Blue-green scale-like foliage
• Small woody spherical cones
• Reddish-brown peeling bark

Height

9 to 18m

Spread

3 to 6m

Leaves

blue-green, gray-green, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, brown, 0.5 to 1cm

Problèmes courants

• Cypress Canker — A fungal infection that causes branch dieback and can eventually kill the tree.
• Spider Mites — Tiny pests that suck sap from needles, often causing yellowing or browning.
• Root Rot — Occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, leading to root decay.

La cultiver

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

No special winter protection is needed as it is well adapted to cold temperatures.

In containers

It can be grown in large containers while young, but it will eventually require planting in the ground.

Pair this tree with other drought tolerant plants that appreciate full sun and lean soil.

Bonnes associations

• Desert Sage — They share similar water needs and thrive in sunny, dry conditions.
• Apache Plume — This shrub provides a nice textural contrast to the fine needles of the cypress.

À éloigner de

• Willow — Willows require far more moisture than the Arizona cypress can tolerate.

Espèces similaires

• Leyland Cypress — It is a popular alternative but grows much faster and requires more maintenance.

Science

Family

Cupressaceae

Genus

Cupressus

Order

Pinales

Class

Pinopsida

Native range

Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Conservation

This species is not currently listed as threatened or endangered in its native range.

It is well adapted to rocky, well drained soils in mountainous regions where it survives periodic drought.

Value to wildlife

provides dense nesting cover, offers winter shelter for birds

Uses

ornamental specimen, privacy screening, windbreak, holiday tree

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How big does it get?

It typically reaches 30 to 50 feet in height.

Does it need much water?

Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.

D'où vient le nom

The name Cupressus is the classical Latin name for the cypress, while arizonica refers to its native range in Arizona.

Bon à savoir

• It is one of the few cypresses native to the southwestern United States.
• The wood is aromatic and resistant to decay.
• It can grow quite rapidly when young.