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Chamaecyparis

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
kam-ee-SIP-a-riss
Description

False-cypress is a member of the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is an evergreen conifer native to the North American coasts and temperate East Asia. The genus name derives from the Greek words chamai, for "dwarf or low to the ground" and kuparissos, for "cypress." This is a group of medium to large trees from 50 to 90 feet tall in the landscape, or even taller in the wild.

These trees are low maintenance and tolerate full sun to part shade, preferably in moist, well-drained soil. Moderate pruning will help maintain its conical form and ethically pleasing shape. They will tolerate drought and moderate amounts of salt as well as browsing by deer and rabbits. Cuttings may be rooted in late summer for propagation.

Cypress trees provide vertical interest to the landscape as a handsome specimen and are sometimes grouped in hedges. In the home landscape, compact or dwarf cultivars are popular as small accents or specimen trees, providing winter interest. Use cypress trees in formal English, or Asian gardens, or along riparian areas.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Minor insect pests include bagworms, witches' broom, spindle burl gall.  This species has some susceptibility to juniper blight (Phomopsis juniperovora) and root rot.

 

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

 

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Cultivars / Varieties:
C. obtusa, C. pisifera, C. thyoides
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#specimen#large tree#conifer#salt tolerant#winter interest#tsc#fall interest#accent plant#rabbit resistant#stream banks#deer resistant#summer interest#English garden#spring interest#Asian garden#vertical spaces#evergreen tree#tsc-cg#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
C. obtusa, C. pisifera, C. thyoides
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#specimen#large tree#conifer#salt tolerant#winter interest#tsc#fall interest#accent plant#rabbit resistant#stream banks#deer resistant#summer interest#English garden#spring interest#Asian garden#vertical spaces#evergreen tree#tsc-cg#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East & West North America, Japan, Laos, Taiwan, Viet Nam
    Distribution:
    Introduced to Europe
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 99 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    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)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    more than 60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    No true fruit– female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    No true flowers– the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Obtuse
    Ovate
    Rhomboidal
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Scale-like or awl-like leaves arranged around the branches. Many species have white markings on the underside that aid in identification. Branches may lay flat or spiral around. Some cultivars have yellow coloring.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Patchy
    Shredding
    Bark Description:
    Often reddish-brown with either fibrous or blocky bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    English Garden
    Water Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Salt