Hesperocyparis arizonica
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cupressus arizonica
- Phonetic Spelling
- hes-per-oh-SY-pair-iss air-ih-ZO-nih-kuh
- Description
-
Arizona cypress is a tall, wide, evergreen tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The species name reflects the prevalence of this native United States conifer in the state of Arizona.
This tree grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. The foliage thins if grown in shade. It is moderately drought tolerant and salt tolerant, has a low water requirement once established, and can withstand the heat of summer. It grows well on slopes and in sandy soil. It will grow about 4 to 8 inches per year and reach a mature height of 40 to 60 feet with a width of 15 to 20 feet. Trunk diameter is from about 1 foot to 1½ feet across. If you plan to create a screen with this tree, plant at least 7 feet apart.
The tree’s crown is a broad conical shape. The foliage has beautiful, silvery-blue to teal coloration year-round, and the bark is gray to brownish-black. The branches are sturdy but have a lacy appearance. Its aroma and color interest make a great display in holiday greenery. Seed cones are about an inch in diameter and dark red-brown.
Arizona cypress is relatively trouble-free and moderately deer-resistant, making it a good choice for screening when compared to other fast-growing evergreen choices. It can be used as a specimen tree or for windbreaks. It also works well in drought-tolerant gardens. A few varieties are sometimes grown as Christmas trees, especially in warmer areas of North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree is somewhat susceptible to canker.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Ice'
Commercially grown as a Christmas tree - 'Blue Pyramid'
- 'Carolina Sapphire'
Electric blue needles; Commercially grown as a Cristmas tree - 'Glabra'
- 'Glabra Limelight'
- 'Glauca'
- 'Golden Pyramid'
- 'Sapphire Skies'
- 'Silver Smoke'
- 'Sulfurea'
- 'Blue Ice'
- 'Blue Ice', 'Blue Pyramid', 'Carolina Sapphire', 'Glabra', 'Glabra Limelight', 'Glauca' , 'Golden Pyramid', 'Sapphire Skies', 'Silver Smoke', 'Sulfurea'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Ice'
Commercially grown as a Christmas tree - 'Blue Pyramid'
- 'Carolina Sapphire'
Electric blue needles; Commercially grown as a Cristmas tree - 'Glabra'
- 'Glabra Limelight'
- 'Glauca'
- 'Golden Pyramid'
- 'Sapphire Skies'
- 'Silver Smoke'
- 'Sulfurea'
- 'Blue Ice'
- 'Blue Ice', 'Blue Pyramid', 'Carolina Sapphire', 'Glabra', 'Glabra Limelight', 'Glauca' , 'Golden Pyramid', 'Sapphire Skies', 'Silver Smoke', 'Sulfurea'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hesperocyparis
- Species:
- arizonica
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- leaves are used as an anti-fungal
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwestern U.S.A., Mexico
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought tolerant, heat tolerant, moderate salt tolerance, moderate deer resistance
- Edibility:
- Edible fruit
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- As a conifer, it does not produce fruits, producing grey-brown cones instead. The cones only open once the branch they are on has died.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Auriculate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Evergreen scales; green to blue-green or grey-green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Heat
- Insect Pests
- Salt
