Cupressus arizonica, a tall, dense conifer, is native to interior Mexico, extending into the southwestern United States, where it is the only native cypress.

Arizona cypress grows as tall as 50-60 feet on a trunk that can reach 2 feet in diameter, although heights of 80 feet and trunk diameters up to 3 feet have been recorded. The crown is dense and conical, spreading to 25 feet at maturity.

Arizona cypress is a steeple-shaped tree with pale-green to gray-blue color. Leaves are tiny and quite plentiful, closely overlapping each other and encircling the branchlets. Its aroma is pleasing.

Bark is thin and delicate with a reddish-brown color. It splits into strips along the length of the tree.

Cones are dark reddish brown with six to eight raised scales arranged in an irregular globe shape. Cones mature in autumn of the second season but persist on the tree for many years. Tiny yellow flowers are visible in fall.

There are about 30 cultivars grouped under the names C. arizonica var. glabra and C. glabra alternatively by various authors.

It is fast-growing but short-lived, on average lasting only 30-40 years. It is typically used as a windbreak or barrier or as a background plant. It is sometimes grown as a Christmas tree in southern and western states.

Growing tips

Arizona cypress is most commonly propagated by seed, but the cultivars are propagated by rooted cuttings, guaranteeing progeny with characteristics identical to the parent.

It is found naturally on dry, rocky mountain slopes and canyon walls, but does well when planted on better soils or when irrigated. It requires at least 10-12 inches of water annually. It is not recommended for elevations over 3,000 feet nor for soils with a high water table. Full sunlight provides best development, but watch for sunscald.

Though this tree grows slowly under natural dry conditions, it is a rapid grower (up to 3 feet per year) in cultivation.

Early spring is the best time for planting. For windbreaks, 6-foot spacing in rows is recommended.

Arizona cypress generally requires little maintenance. Deep watering at least every other week is necessary for desert planting during the growing season. Healthy plants require no pruning or shearing.

Principal enemies are bagworms, mistletoe and rusts. Cypress bark beetle may be affected by mining twigs.

Phomopsis blight, caused by the fungus Phomopsis juniperovora, is a common and sometimes damaging disease. Although the greatest loss to this disease occurs in nurseries, damage may also be seen in landscape plantings. Prune diseased shoots as they appear. Make cuts about 3 inches below the dying shoot, discard the clippings and dip pruning shears in alcohol or a similar disinfectant after each cut. A fungicide treatment program should start shortly after shoot growth has begun and before symptoms are seen. Fungicides labeled for control of phomopsis blight are Dithane T/O, Fore 80W, Zyban 79W, Cleary's 3336 50W and Halt 50W.

-- Kevin Neal

SPECIFICS:
Name: Cupressus arizonica
Common names: Arizona cypress, Arizona rough cypress, cedro blanco.
Family: Cuppressaceae.
Description: Medium-sized tree 50-60 feet tall; fine-textured evergreen, with a dense, upright conical crown and reddish-brown bark.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.
Landscape uses: Nice lawn specimen or screen.
Attributes: Provides gray-blue look to landscapes; drought tolerant; good for windbreak and soil erosion control.

Photo by Mike Schnelle

© 2000 Branch-Smith Publishing