Alaska-cedar Callitropsis nootkatensis 'Pendula'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula'
- Xanthocyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula'
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-ee-trop-sis noot-kuh-TEN-sis
- Description
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'Pendula' is a needled evergreen tree in the cypress family and a cultivar of the native Nootka cypress found on the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern California.
This tree grows 30 to 45 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide in a pyramidal shape but is often found much smaller in cultivation. It prefers average moist soils in full sun to partial shade, particularly in warmer zones.
The blue-green to gray-green needles occur along branchlets that hang from the drooping to horizontal branches. The leaves, when crushed emit a foul odor.
Use as a specimen or accent tree along pond and stream edges or for winter interest. It can be grown in a container and on or near the patio. It does best in cool summer climates with plenty of rainfall and can be grown in the NC mountains.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to beetle borers and spider mites, phytophthora, root rot, and rust. Occasional aphid issues. Blight can be a problem in young nursery plants as well as old landscape plants.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Callitropsis
- Species:
- nootkatensis
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Use as a focal point in the landscape.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Alaska south to northern California
- Wildlife Value:
- Bears can strip the bark off the tree in the springtime in order to feed on the sweet sap. Often used as cover for birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Easy to Grow
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Small hard green cones ripen in the tree's second year and ripen in the fall. Each have a protruding, hook-like erect tip.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Scale-like leaves in flat fans in 4 rows of alternating opposite pairs. They have an unpleasant smell when bruised or crushed.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Green
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Furrowed
- Bark Description:
- Bark Light Green or Light Gray, Exfoliating or Furrowed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Humidity
