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Scientific name: cupressus arizonica
Family: Cupressaceae, Cypress Family
Arizona Cypress is found naturally on dry, sterile, rocky mountain slopes and canyon walls, but does very well when planted on better
soils or when irrigated. It requires a minimum of 10 to 12 inches of water annually. It is not recommended for elevations
of over 3,000 feet nor is it recommended for soils with a high water table. It requires full sunlight for best development,
but is subject to sunscald when grown as an ornamental. Though it grows slowly under natural dry conditions, it is a rapid
grower (up to 3 feet per year) on better soils with a good moisture regime. Arizona cypress generally requires little
maintenance. Deep watering at least every other week is necessary for desert planting during the growing season. Arizona
cypress is especially susceptible to fire and needs proper protection. Arizona cypress ordinarily has few disease pests,
but when grown in areas of high humidity, incidence of disease increases. Principal enemies are mistletoes and rusts. The
cypress bark beetle may be troublesome by mining twigs on ornamentals.
Description: Cupressus arizonica greene, Arizona cypress, is the only cypress native to the southwest.
It is a medium sized tree 50 to 60 feet tall and 15 to 30 inches in diameter. It is evergreen, with a dense, upright,
conical crown and smooth reddish-brown bark that sometimes becomes fibrous with flat ridges. Leaves are scale-like
and grayish-green, bluish-green, or silvery, arranged opposite in pairs and tightly clasping the cord-like or four-sided
twigs; they emit a fetid odor when crushed. The cones are 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter, subglobose, dark reddish brown,
with 6 to 8 shield-shaped woody scales. The cones mature in autumn of the second season but persist on the tree for many years.
Planting: Arizona cypress is usually available as 1 year old potted stock. It should be planted in areas where there
is at least 10 to 12 inches of water available annually either naturally or through irrigation. Early spring is
the best time for planting. For windbreaks 6-foot spacing in rows is recommended. Open sunlight is required for best growth.
Preferred Habitat: Dryer sites - widely planted ornamental
Leaves: Leaves are scale-like and grayish-green, bluish-green, or silvery, arranged opposite in pairs and
tightly clasping the cord-like or four-sided twigs; they emit a fetid odor when crushed
Flowers: Blooms in Spring/Summer - Cones retained to Winter
Fruit: Woody cones to 1" (25 mm) in diameter
Bark: gray, deeply furrowed into broad, scaly ridges.
Elevation: Up to 7000 feet.
Recommended Temperature Zone: Sunset: 5,8-24,26-31; USDA: 5b-11
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to -15°F (-30°C)
Heat Tolerance: Excellent
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: USA (central Arizona)
Growth Habits: Deciduous tree, up to 30 feet tall (10 m) or more
Watering Needs: Very little to no water when established (2 to 3 years after planting)
Propagation: Seeds
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