Yellow Cedar Callitropsis nootkatensis

Nootka Cypress is a needled evergreen tree in the cypress family native to the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern California. In its native habitat, it is commonly found growing along streams and ravines and other areas with moist soils.  It has graceful pendulous branches that upsweep at the ends and flattened sprays of gray-green or blue-green foliage. It typically grows slowly to 30 to 45 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. However, with optimum conditions, such as in the wild, it can grow rapidly, adding one or more feet of growth per year.  Specimens up to 90' tall have been observed.   

Grow in average moist soils with good drainage in full sun to partial shade. It is grown as a specimen tree or along pond and stream edges in the mountainous areas of NC.

This species is lesser known that it counterparts C. obtusa and C. pisifera furthermore, it is more cold tolerant and adaptable than once thought.  The underside of the leaves are vacant of any white markings in addition, when bruised or rubbed together as a result there is a foul odor.

Pruning or trimming can be accomplished in the summer months.  This plant is very tolerant of clipping as long as the cutting does not extend into the brown bark wood.  If cut this deeply, it cannot regenerate.  

Fibers that finely shredded from the inner bark is used for making mats and blankets.  Wood from this tree is hard and durable and has a resinous odor. 

There has been some confusion around the taxonomy of this plant which has been placed in the genus Cupressus, Chamaecyparis, and Xanthocyparis.  The species name derives from the geographic area it is found in the Nootka Sound of British Columbia.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although generally pest free, susceptible to beetle borers and spider mites, phytophthora, root rot, and rust.  It cannot tolerate maritime exposure or atmospheric pollution.

It May not be easy to find a supplier of this tree.