Accession Count: 11
Common Name:
Arizona cypress
Family Name:
Cupressaceae
Botanical Name:
Cupressus arizonica
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The Arizona cypress is a medium-sized evergreen tree. Its height ranges from 50 – 60 feet tall, with a diameter of 15 – 30 inches and a spread of 25 – 30 feet. It has an upright, dense cone-shaped crown. The smooth bark of C. arizonica is reddish-brown and can become fibrous with flat ridges. It has gray-green foliage that is soft-textured, acute, and scale-like. It has round, dark reddish-brown cones that have a diameter of three-quarters of an inch to an inch and is composed of six to eight shield-shaped woody scales. Ovulate and staminate cones appear in the spring and range from a yellow-green (male) to light green (female). (1, 2, 3)
Compound:
Cup ari
Geographic Origin:
Mountain Southwest
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The Arizona cypress is a native of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In the southwestern U.S., it is found above 3,000 feet It is the only native cypress in this area. E.L. Green is credited for documenting C. arizonica in the 1880s.
Cultivation Notes:
Cupressus arizonica requires full sun for growth and is hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended that the Arizona cypress receive monthly, deep irrigation, which encourages deeper rooting. Fertilization should be avoided due to potential nitrogen damage. C. arizonica is adaptable in most soils, except rocky soils, and requires very little maintenance. (3) When planted in a landscape, the Arizona cypress should be given ample space to achieve its characteristic symmetrical pyramidal shape. C. arizonica could potentially be damaged by bark beetles, and nitrogen fertilizer burn.
Ethnobotany:
The Arizona cypress makes great lumber for livestock fencing as it becomes very durable when it is seasoned. The timber of C. arizonica is also sometimes used for hobby and craft items. It is also used for Christmas trees. In desert areas, C. arizonica are useful as borders, barriers, and windbreaks (1). The seeds are eaten by ground squirrels, squirrels, and other rodents. (2, 3).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
1. United States Department of Agriculture. (2002). Plant Fact Sheet: Arizona Cypress. Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_cuar.pdf
2. Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Guide – Cypress, Arizona. Retrieved from http://www.arborday.org/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ID=47
3. Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension. Cupressus arizonica. Retrieved from 4.http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Cupressus_arizonica.html
5. Walter, James E, and Balbir Backhaus. Shade and Color with Water-Conserving Plants. Timber Press, 1992.
