Arizona cypress

The Blue Pyramid variation of the Arizona Cypress tree.

Hesperocyparis arizonica

Arizona cypress is a tall, wide, evergreen tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The species name reflects the prevalence of this native United States conifer in the state of Arizona.

This tree grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. The foliage thins if grown in shade. It is moderately drought tolerant and salt tolerant, has a low water requirement once established, and can withstand the heat of summer. It grows well on slopes and in sandy soil. It will grow about 4 to 8 inches per year and reach a mature height of 40 to 60 feet with a width of 15 to 20 feet. Trunk diameter is from about 1 foot to 1½ feet across. If you plan to create a screen with this tree, plant at least 7 feet apart.

The tree’s crown is a broad conical shape. The foliage has beautiful, silvery-blue to teal coloration year-round, and the bark is gray to brownish-black. The branches are sturdy but have a lacy appearance. Its aroma and color interest make a great display in holiday greenery. Seed cones are about an inch in diameter and dark red-brown.

Arizona cypress is relatively trouble-free and moderately deer-resistant, making it a good choice for screening when compared to other fast-growing evergreen choices. It can be used as a specimen tree or for windbreaks. It also works well in drought-tolerant gardens. A few varieties are sometimes grown as Christmas trees, especially in warmer areas of North Carolina.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree is somewhat susceptible to canker.

• ‘Blue Ice’
  Commercially grown as a Christmas tree
• ‘Blue Pyramid’
• ‘Carolina Sapphire’
  Electric blue needles; Commercially grown as a Cristmas tree
• ‘Glabra’
• ‘Glabra Limelight’
• ‘Glauca’
• ‘Golden Pyramid’
• ‘Sapphire Skies’
• ‘Silver Smoke’
• ‘Sulfurea’

• ‘Blue Ice’
  Commercially grown as a Christmas tree
• ‘Blue Pyramid’
• ‘Carolina Sapphire’
  Electric blue needles; Commercially grown as a Cristmas tree
• ‘Glabra’
• ‘Glabra Limelight’
• ‘Glauca’
• ‘Golden Pyramid’
• ‘Sapphire Skies’
• ‘Silver Smoke’
• ‘Sulfurea’

• Attributes: Genus: Hesperocyparis Species: arizonica Family: Cupressaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): leaves are used as an anti-fungal Life Cycle: Woody Country Or Region Of Origin: Southwestern U.S.A., Mexico Play Value: Buffer Screening Wildlife Cover/Habitat Wildlife Food Source Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems): drought tolerant, heat tolerant, moderate salt tolerance, moderate deer resistance Edibility: Edible fruit Dimensions: Height: 40 ft. 0 in. – 60 ft. 0 in. Width: 15 ft. 0 in. – 20 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Perennial Tree Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Needled Evergreen Habit/Form: Climbing Erect Pyramidal Growth Rate: Rapid Maintenance: Low Texture: Fine

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Soil Texture: Loam (Silt) Sand Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Occasionally Dry Very Dry Available Space To Plant: 6-feet-12 feet 12-24 feet 24-60 feet NC Region: Coastal Piedmont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

• Fruit: Fruit Color: Brown/Copper Gray/Silver Green Fruit Value To Gardener: Edible Display/Harvest Time: Summer Fruit Length: 1-3 inches Fruit Width: < 1 inch Fruit Description: As a conifer, it does not produce fruits, producing grey-brown cones instead. The cones only open once the branch they are on has died.

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Needled Evergreen Leaf Color: Blue Gray/Silver Green Leaf Value To Gardener: Fragrant Good Cut Long-lasting Showy Leaf Type: Needles Leaf Arrangement: Other/more complex Leaf Shape: Auriculate Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: < 1 inch Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: Evergreen scales; green to blue-green or grey-green.

• Bark: Bark Color: Dark Brown Light Brown Red/Burgundy Surface/Attachment: Furrowed

• Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Coastal Recreational Play Area Slope/Bank Landscape Theme: Children’s Garden Drought Tolerant Garden Edible Garden Design Feature: Barrier Screen/Privacy Specimen Attracts: Hummingbirds Small Mammals Songbirds Resistance To Challenges: Deer Diseases Drought Heat Insect Pests Salt

Hesperocyparis arizonica

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Arizona Cypress

Arizona cypress is a drought tolerant, evergreen tree native to the southwestern United States. In the landscape it usually reaches a height of only 20’ to 25’ and 15’ wide. The foliage can be a gray-green but usually blue-foliage and recently yellow foliage forms are available in the trade. ‘Blue Ice’ and ‘Carolina Sapphire’ are common cultivars and ‘Cookes Peak’ is a selection from Cookes Peak, New Mexico with silvery-blue foliage and pyramidal form (see photograph). Arizona cypress require well-drained soil and thrive in hot, dry environments. As the tree ages, the bark exfoliates beautifully becoming mottled with patches of burnt orange and green.

Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Hardiness: USDA Zone 7

Arizona Cypress Gallery Take a closer look at the various types of Arizona Cypress trees.

The Blue Pyramid variation of the Arizona Cypress tree.

An archway with decorated with Raywoods Weeping Arizona Cypress tree limbs.

A metal archway with Raywoods Weeping Arizona Cypress tree limbs wrapped draped over it.