Monterey Cypress

Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (hes-per-oh-SY-pair-iss ma-kro-KAR-pa)

Family: Cupressaceae Unknown Canopy (>40 ft)

Monterey cypress is a long-lived, fast-growing, evergreen, coniferous tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is found naturally only on the central California coast, around Monterey, where it is relatively rare. The genus name, Hesperocyparis , is Latin and means “western cypress.” The specific epithet, macrocarpa , means “large fruit [cone].” The Monterey cypress prefers full sun, moist, well-drained soils of loam and clay, and acidic to slightly alkaline pH. It is drought and tolerant of salt spray. It is cold-intolerant, but it thrives in the cool coastal breezes. It is low maintenance (except for dealing with litterfall) and does not require pruning. It is propagated by seeds and semi-hardwood cuttings. It has a narrow and pyramidal habit when young and becomes irregular and wide-spreading as it matures. The foliage is bright to dark green with scale-like leaves (needles, on juveniles), is non-resinous and has a lemony fragrance when crushed. The bark is a pale reddish-brown to gray and has shallow furrows that split into grayish, scaly plates. The cones are solitary, elliptic, greenish-brownish, and measure about 1 inch long. At maturity, Monterey cypress is one of the largest cypress trees, measuring up to 80 or 90 feet with a 14-foot trunk and a broadly spreading crown. Along the California coast, this cypress has been planted as an ornamental, hedge and windbreak. There are only two native stands that persist along the central coast of California, and the Lone Cypress at Cypress Point is probably the most photographed tree in California. In South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, the tree is grown in forest plantations for timber. This tree tends to do much better in cooler climates, such as along the coast, and plantings in areas of hot summers have not been as successful. It may be used as a specimen, hedge or screen in winter, cottage or formal English gardens. Quick ID Hints: medium-sized, coniferous, evergreen tree with a pyramidal habit when young and wide-spreading with age scale-like, bright to dark green needles with a lemon scent when crushed solitary greenish-brown cones that measure 1 to 1½ inches long with 8 to 12 scales bark is reddish-brown to gray, fibrous, rough, shallowly furrowed the stems are square and covered in thick, scale-like leaves Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential insect pests include the bark beetle, borers, and the larvae of moths that can damage the seeds. The Monterey cypress is susceptible to armillaria, phytophthora, root rot, and coryneum canker. If the Monterey cypress is planted away from cool coastal breezes, it is more susceptible to the canker, which can kill the tree. Litter from cones can be messy. VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 60 attributes.