Arizona cypress

Sun

Full sun; allow space around the crown for good air circulation.

Water

Water regularly while establishing; low water needs once established. Give an occasional deep watering during prolonged drought rather than frequent light watering.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, gravelly or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline soil and relatively poor ground. Avoid waterlogged soil and heavy, poorly drained clay.

Height

40-60 ft (12-18 m)

Spread

15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m)

Foliage

Evergreen, aromatic, scale-like leaves in rounded sprays, usually grey-green to blue-green. Small woody cones persist on the branches; mature bark is rough and furrowed.

Growth

Moderate to fast when young; slower on dry or poor sites.

Care needed

Low

• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   9 ft (2.7 m)

3. After 2 years

   11 ft (3.3 m)

4. After 3 years

   13 ft (4 m)

5. After 5 years

   17 ft (5.3 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Mildly toxic: may upset a stomach

Native to

the US

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root flare at soil level, away from wet hollows and frequently irrigated lawns.
• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Do not routinely fertilise established trees; excess nitrogen encourages soft growth.
• Stake only if the root ball moves in wind, and remove supports after the tree is firmly rooted.

Pruning. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches in late winter or early spring during dry weather. Keep any shaping within leafy growth: bare old wood usually does not regrow, so avoid hard cutting or topping.

Spring

Plant in colder areas once the soil is workable; water thoroughly and mulch.

Early spring

Inspect for dead branches and cankers; prune affected branches during dry weather.

Late spring

Check young trees for loose ties and remove stakes once roots hold the tree securely.

Summer

Water establishing trees deeply during dry spells; inspect browning foliage for mites or bagworms.

Autumn

Plant in mild climates where winter soil drains freely; replenish mulch without covering the trunk.

Winter

Check drainage after heavy rain and avoid piling cleared snow against young trees.

• Use as a large specimen in a sunny gravel garden, with enough space for its mature crown.
• Plant a loosely spaced screen or windbreak where its evergreen foliage can reach the ground without repeated clipping.
• Set behind lavender, sage and ornamental grasses for a grey-green backdrop.
• Use its upright outline to frame broad views or mark the edge of a large dry garden.

Garden styles it suits: Mediterranean, Desert / xeriscape, Southwestern, Dry gravel garden, Architectural minimal and Winter interest.

Plant it with: English lavender, Russian sage, Yarrow, Blue fescue, Red yucca and Rock rose.

Wildlife: Dense branches provide shelter and nesting sites for birds. Seeds are eaten by some birds and small mammals; the wind-pollinated flowers offer little value to nectar-feeding insects.

• Cypress canker: scattered branches turn brown, sometimes with resinous lesions. Prune affected branches back to healthy wood in dry weather, disinfect tools between cuts and reduce drought stress; remove severely affected trees.
• Root rot: yellowing, thinning and decline can follow prolonged waterlogging. Correct drainage and reduce irrigation; badly rotted trees usually need removal.
• Spider mites: fine stippling and bronzing occur during hot, dry weather. Confirm mites by tapping foliage over white paper; rinse accessible foliage and avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that kill predators.
• Bagworms, especially in parts of the United States: larvae strip foliage and leave hanging cases. Hand-pick bags before eggs hatch, or treat small, actively feeding larvae with a locally approved product.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Foliage and cones are not edible, and chewing them may cause stomach upset; sap and foliage can irritate sensitive skin. Do not allow pets or livestock to browse it.

• Smooth Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra)

  Often sold under Arizona cypress and sometimes treated within the same species. Its bark peels in thin flakes to reveal smooth reddish patches, unlike the persistent rough, furrowed bark of typical Arizona cypress.

• Leyland cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii)

  Usually has flatter, more feathery foliage sprays and a faster, denser growth habit; Arizona cypress has more rounded sprays and often greyer foliage.

• Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa)

  Usually has greener foliage with a distinct lemon scent when crushed, larger cones and a broad, spreading crown with age.

The epithet arizonica means 'of Arizona', referring to part of the tree's native range.

Propagation. Grow from seed collected from mature cones; cold, moist stratification can improve germination. Named selections need propagation from cuttings or grafting to retain their characteristics, and rooting can be unreliable.

Accepted botanical name

Cupressus arizonica

In the US and Canada

Native in the lower 48 states. Introduced in Puerto Rico.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and USDA PLANTS. The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.