Port Orford cedar Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ka-may-sy-PAR-is law-SO-nee-AN-na
- Description
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Port Orford cypress is a needled evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. It is native to northern California and Oregon from sea level to 4900 feet. Port Orford cypress is a large tree up to 180 feet tall with ascending branches and tips that droop giving it a pendulous look.
This tree prefers moist but well-drained soils in full sun with some wind protection.
This tree is large and rarely used as an ornamental but there are over 300 cultivars available that are more useful as a specimen tree
The aromatic wood is light and strong with rot resistance and is often exported to Japan for use in coffins, shrines and temples. The straight grain of the wood make it ideal for making arrows and stringed instruments.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Phytophthora lateralis is a big problem for this tree. There are now trees on resistant rootstock that are available.
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
- Profile Video:
- 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:
- Chamaecyparis
- Species:
- lawsoniana
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in making arrows and stringed instruments.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Pacific NW
- Distribution:
- CA, OR
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides protection and nesting sites for wildlife. Douglas squirrels harvest Port-Orford-cedar cones and eat the seed. Mountain beavers and rabbits occasionally eat the foliage of saplings, and woodrats and porcupines eat the bark.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Nesting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 110 ft. 0 in. - 180 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 57 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Cascading
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- more than 60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The round female cones are 1/4-3/8 inches, woody and blue-green, maturing to brown with 8 scales. Seeds are winged. Male cones are smaller, brown, appearing at the tips of the branches.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- None
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Glaucous scale-like needles are closely pressed into the branch in opposite pairs, mostly 2-3 mm, apex acute to acuminate. The stomal bands on the underside form and x.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Round
- Bark Description:
- Reddish-brown bark divided into broad, rounded ridges.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Flat brown twigs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
