Monterey Cypress Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

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