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Chaney, Patsy (Knox City, TX)
Cupressus arizonica Greene
Arizona cypress
Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
USDA Symbol: CUAR
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Arizona cypress is a graceful, pyramid-shaped tree, 30-40 ft. high (usually taller in the wild) by 15-20 ft. wide. Evergreen tree with conical crown and stout, horizontal branches. Soft-textured, pale, gray-green to blue-green, evergreen foliage is scale-like and flattened against the branchlets; the overall effect is like a braided bullwhip. The rough outer bark of older trees scales off to reveal an inner bark that changes color from tan to plum to red.
Arizona Cypress is often grown for Christmas trees. The durable wood is used locally for fenceposts. As many as 5 varieties, based on minor differences of foliage and bark, have been distinguished.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Size Notes: 30-40 feet tall, 15-25 feet wide.
Leaf Color: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Not ApplicableBloom Time: Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Flowers inconspicuous.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NV , NM , TX , UTNative Distribution: W. TX to extreme s. NV, s. AZ & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Hot, dry canyons & stream banks from 3000 to 7000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(I)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Arizona cypress is drought-tolerant, fast-growing and relatively short-lived (30-50 years). It is very widely used as an ornamental and for windbreaks in its native range.
Texas comments: Arizona cypress is drought-tolerant, fast-growing and relatively short-lived (30-50 years). It is very widely used as an ornamental and for windbreaks in its native range.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive, Fast growing, AromaticUse Wildlife: Cover, Nesting site
Use Other: Makes a good wind break.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed or treated cuttings taken in late fall. Stratified seeds will germinate at 72 degrees.Seed Collection: Most cypresses have seratiunous cones that can hang on the trees for several years without opening. Cone should be collected by cutting them from the limbs. They can be opened by boiling for 30-60 seconds.
Seed Treatment: Seeds require cold-moist stratification for one month.
Commercially Avail: yes
PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
Cupressus arizonica (Arizona cypress) is a PlantWise native alternative for: Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian bluegum)
Firmiana simplex (Chinese parasoltree)
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Bibliography
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Cupressus arizonica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Cupressus arizonica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cupressus arizonica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-10-09Research By: TWC Staff
