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Hesperocyparis glabra

Previously known as:

  • Cupressus arizonica var. glabra
  • Cupressus glabra
  • Cupressus glauca
Phonetic Spelling
hes-per-oh-SY-pair-iss GLAY-bruh
Description

The Arizona Cypress is a conical needled evergreen tree native to Arizona in the southwestern United States and often found in the rocky or gravelly soils of canyons and ravines. The tree cab mature to a height of 70 feet, although most are much shorter, and is noted for its hardiness, thriving in any soil from chalk to acidic sand. The tree will produce inconspicuous brown blossoms and seed cones that mature to gray or brown a few years after pollination. A mature tree will often have multiple trunks with smooth, dark red bark peeling in large scales.

The Arizona Cypress tolerates a wide range of soils and it drought resistant. However, it will not grow in shade and does best sited in full sun.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. Resistant to cypress canker.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blue Ice'
    Compact form with blue needles
  • 'Chaparral'
  • 'Limelight'
'Blue Ice', 'Chaparral', 'Limelight'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#smooth bark#needled evergreen#tall#evergreen tree
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blue Ice'
    Compact form with blue needles
  • 'Chaparral'
  • 'Limelight'
'Blue Ice', 'Chaparral', 'Limelight'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#smooth bark#needled evergreen#tall#evergreen tree
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hesperocyparis
    Species:
    glabra
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwestern North America: Arizona
    Distribution:
    New Mexico south to Mexico, California east to Texas. Introduced into Italy.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    cypress canker
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Female flowers bunched near tip of new growth, male cones mostly near last years fruit, flowers with 60 or more yellow tubes excreting a clear liquid.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The foliage has a bright blue-green (glaucous) aspect. The leaves are short, closely pressed to the twigs, acutely pointed, thickened and keel-shaped on the back, and resinous. The leaves die during the second year, turn a bright red-brown and remain on the twigs for about four years.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Scaly
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Bark is smooth and not furrowed, dark red, and can peel in large scales.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Poor Soil