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Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Callitropsis macrocarpa
  • Cupressus lambertiana
  • Cupressus macrocarpa
Phonetic Spelling
hes-per-oh-SY-pair-iss ma-kro-KAR-pa
Description

Monterey Cypress is a long-lived, fast-growing, needled evergreen, coniferous tree with lemony fragrant leaves.  It has a narrow and pyramidal habit when young and becomes irregular and wide-spreading as it matures. The foliage is bright to dark green with scale-like needles and is non-resinous. The bark is a pale reddish-brown to gray and has shallow furrows that split into grayish, scaly plates. The cones are solitary, elliptic, greenish-brownish, and measure about 1 inch long. At maturity, Monterey Cypress is one of the largest cypress trees measuring up to 80 or 90 feet with a 14-foot trunk and a broadly spreading crown. 

This evergreen is one of several species of cypress trees found in California, but Monterey Cypress has the distinction of being found naturally only on the central California coast and is relatively rare. Many trees have been destroyed for housing developments and golf courses. Along the California coast, this cypress has been planted as an ornamental, hedge, and windbreak. There are only two native stands that persist along the central coast of California, and the Lone Cypress at Cypress Point is probably the most photographed tree in California.  In South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, the tree is grown in forest plantations for timber.

The genus name, Hesperocyparis, is Latin and means Western Cypress. The specific epithet, macrocarpa, means large fruit.

The Monterey Cypress prefers full sun, moist, well-drained soils of loam and clay, and acidic to slightly alkaline pH. It is drought and salt-spray tolerant. It is cold-intolerant, but it thrives in the cool coastal breezes. It is low maintenance except for littering and does not require pruning. It is propagated by seeds and semi-hardwood cuttings.

This tree tends to do much better in cooler climates, such as along the coast, and plantings in areas of hot summers have not been as successful. It may be used as a specimen, hedge, screen, or for Coastal Gardens. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:  Year-round    Foliage:  Year-round     Fruits:  Fall, matures in 2 years

Quick ID Hints:

  • medium-sized, needled coniferous, evergreen tree with a pyramidal habit when young and wide-spreading with age
  • scale-like, bright to dark green needles with a lemon scent when crushed
  • solitary greenish-brown cones that measure 1 to 1.5 inches long with 8 to 12 scales
  • bark is reddish-brown to gray, fibrous, rough, shallowly furrowed
  • the stems are square and covered in thick scale-like leaves

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Potential insect pests include the bark beetle, borers, and the larva of moths can damage the seeds. The Monterey Cypress is susceptible to  Armillaria, Phytophthora, root rot, and coryneum canker. If the Monterey Cypress is planted away from cool coastal breezes, it is more susceptible to the canker which can kill the tree. Litter from cones can be messy.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

 

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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Goldcrest', 'Golden Pillar', 'Karoonda', 'Wilma Goldcrest'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#pyramidal#conifer#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#low maintenance#windbreak#salt spray tolerant#needled evergreen#fragrant needles#acidic soils tolerant#screening#nesting sites#evergreen tree#food source fall#coastal plant#erect#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge#long lived#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Goldcrest', 'Golden Pillar', 'Karoonda', 'Wilma Goldcrest'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#pyramidal#conifer#fragrant leaves#salt tolerant#low maintenance#windbreak#salt spray tolerant#needled evergreen#fragrant needles#acidic soils tolerant#screening#nesting sites#evergreen tree#food source fall#coastal plant#erect#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge#long lived#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hesperocyparis
    Species:
    macrocarpa
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The wood is used in New Zealand and Africa for lumber and pulp production. It can be used for making shingles and boats,
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    West Central coast of California
    Distribution:
    Native: California; Introduced: Argentina, Falkland Islands, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Madeira, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Portugal, Sicilia, South Australia, Spain, Tasmania, and Turkey
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Small mammals and deer enjoy the seeds from cones in the fall, birds nest in the tree. Butterflies and moths are attracted to this tree.
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wind Break
    Edibility:
    Needles are slightly toxic to livestock.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The tree produces greenish-to-brown, elliptical cones that measure about 1 to 1.5 inches long with 8 to 12 scales. The seed cones turn brown and open when they mature. The tiny seeds are dull reddish-brown. It takes two growing seasons for the cones to mature, and they may remain on the tree for a couple of years.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Description:
    The tree is monoecious. The male flowers are small, light yellowish-green, and appear at the branch tips. The female flowers are small, light green, and appear near the branch tips.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are scale-like, blunt-tipped, and measure 2 mm long and up to 10 mm. They are appressed in rows and tightly crowded on the stems. The dense sprays of bright to dark green foliage have a deep lemony aroma when crushed.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Scaly
    Bark Description:
    The bark is dark gray to reddish brown. It is fibrous, rough, and has irregular furrows or scaly bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    The stems are square and covered with thick scale-like leaves with a coarse texture. Sparse branching is often composed of a few major limbs near the ground. More upright in sheltered locations.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Messy