White Cypress Chamaecyparis thyoides

Other Common Name(s):

Description

The Chamaecyparis thyoides is an evergreen tree that may grow 60 to 80 feet tall. The foilage is scale-like and blue/green in color. The bark is fibrous with intersection flat ridges, which sometimes spiral along the stem. It is native to freshwater swamps, bogs and wet woods along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida and along the Gulf coast from Florida to Mississippi.

Mature bark of the Atlantic White Cedar is reddish brown. The wood has excellent resistance to decay and has been used for a number of purposes including boat construction, shingles and posts.

Seasons of Interest:

Leaves: Evergreen Bloom: Spring Fruit/Seed/Nut: Cone

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: With the Atlantic White Cedar there are no serious insect or disease problems. It does have some susceptibility to juniper blight, root rot and certain insect pests such as bagworms. This tree is frequently damaged by white tailed deer.

Cultivars:

Barton
Rubicon

Tags:

#butterflies #evergreen #wildlife plant #larval food #cover plant #playground #host #ncemgva2018 #highly beneficial coastal plants #fire #high flammability #children's garden

Chamaecyparis thyoides — F. D. Richards CC BY-SA 4.0

Cultivars:

Barton
Rubicon

Tags:

#butterflies #evergreen #wildlife plant #larval food #cover plant #playground #host #ncemgva2018 #highly beneficial coastal plants #fire #high flammability #children's garden

Attributes:
Genus:

Chamaecyparis

Species:

thyoides

Family:

Cupressaceae

Life Cycle:

Woody

Country Or Region Of Origin:

United States

Fire Risk Rating:

high flammability

Wildlife Value:

This tree provides cover for wildlife during the winter and extreme weather. It is also a larval plant for butterflies.

Play Value:

Wildlife Enhancement

Dimensions:

Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.

Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Native Plant

Tree

Leaf Characteristics:

Needled Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Medium

Maintenance:

Low

Texture:

Medium

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:

High Organic Matter

Sand

Soil Drainage:

Occasionally Wet

Available Space To Plant:

24-60 feet

NC Region:

Coastal

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Brown/Copper

Gold/Yellow

Purple/Lavender

Fruit Description:

It produces yellow pollen-bearing cones which are found at the stem ends. It's seed bearing cones formed in clusters emerge purple but mature to brown.

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Blue

Gold/Yellow

Green

Red/Burgundy

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Description:

The Atlantic White Cedar has red-yellow male flowers and small green female flowers that mature in the spring.

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Needled Evergreen

Leaf Color:

Blue

Green

White

Leaf Feel:

Prickly

Leaf Type:

Needles

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Length:

< 1 inch

Leaf Width:

< 1 inch

Leaf Description:

The scale-like adult leaves and needle-like juvenile leaves of the Atlantic White Cedar are a soft blue green with needle-like foliage with white markings. The leaf is flattened having irregular sprays in dense bunches with sharp, pointed tips.

Bark:
Bark Description:

The bark is fibrous with intersection flat ridges, which sometimes spiral along the stem.

Stem:
Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Landscape Theme:

Butterfly Garden

Children's Garden

Native Garden

Attracts:

Butterflies

Resistance To Challenges:

Diseases

Wet Soil