Plant DetailShow Menu

Hesperocyparis arizonica is often confused with:
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa Cupressus macrocarpa
Native alternative(s) for Hesperocyparis arizonica:
Chamaecyparis thyoides Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Juniperus virginiana Juniperus virginiana
Pinus thunbergii Pinus thunbergii
x Hesperotropsis leylandii × Cupressocyparis leylandii
Hesperocyparis arizonica has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Arizona Cypress Hesperocyparis arizonica

Other plants called Arizona Cypress:

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:
  • '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 Pyramid', 'Carolina Sapphire', 'Glabra', 'Glabra Limelight', 'Glauca' , 'Golden Pyramid', 'Sapphire Skies', 'Silver Smoke', 'Sulfurea'
Tags:
#evergreen#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#specimen#easy to grow#blue green needles#salt tolerant#low maintenance#windbreak#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#screening#edible garden#Braham Arboretum#Christmas trees#Christmas decorations#insect resistant#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
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 Pyramid', 'Carolina Sapphire', 'Glabra', 'Glabra Limelight', 'Glauca' , 'Golden Pyramid', 'Sapphire Skies', 'Silver Smoke', 'Sulfurea'
Tags:
#evergreen#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#specimen#easy to grow#blue green needles#salt tolerant#low maintenance#windbreak#disease resistant#pest resistant#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#screening#edible garden#Braham Arboretum#Christmas trees#Christmas decorations#insect resistant#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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