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Cupressus arizonica - Greene.

Common Name Arizona Cypress
Family Cupressaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rocky or gravelly soils of canyons and ravines, 1000 - 2650 metres[229].
Range South-western N. America - California to Texas and New Mexico, south to Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cupressus arizonica Arizona Cypress


W.L. Wagner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Cupressus arizonica Arizona Cypress
W.L. Wagner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Cupressus arizonica is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Fuel  Soil stabilization  Wood

Trees are very drought tolerant and are planted on slopes in its native range in order to prevent soil erosion[229]. Wood - soft, close-grained[61]. Hard, heavy and durable according to another report[229]. Used for general construction and fuel[61].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in a well-drained loamy or peaty soil[11]. Established plants are very tolerant of hot dry conditions and of drought[81]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[81] but is then more subject to insect damage in a succession of dry seasons[11]. Requires a sunny position[81]. A fast-growing and long-lived tree in the wild[229], this species is the hardiest member of the genus[11], though it is still somewhat tender in Britain, at least in the north of the country[11]. It succeeds in most of Britain once it is established[81]. The sub-species A. arizonica glabra. (Sudw.)Little. is a very hardy form, thriving in any soil from chalk to acid sands, this is the form most commonly grown in Britain[200]. Trees are fairly fast-growing in Britain, new growth takes place from late May until mid-September and can reach 60cm per year on young trees[185]. Cultivated as a timber tree in Italy and occasionally in other parts of Europe[50]. The young tree has an attractive pyramidal shape and is widely grown as a Christmas tree in its native range[229]. The seed takes two summers to develop[229]. Mature cones often remain closed on the tree[81], only opening after the heat of a forest fire[200]. Plants are subject to injury by the wind[11, 81]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[164]. Three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[164]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. The seedlings are very subject to damping off so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated[113]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can store for several years[113]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, September in a frost-proof frame[1]. April/May is the best time to take cuttings[113].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cupressus funebrisChinese Weeping Cypress, Mourning-cypressTree25.0 7-10  LMHNDM012
Cupressus lusitanicaMexican CypressTree35.0 9-12 FMHSNM024
Cupressus macrocarpaMonterey CypressTree25.0 7-10 FLMHNDM013
Cupressus sempervirensItalian CypressTree30.0 7-11 MLMHNDM023
Cupressus torulosaHimalayan CypressTree40.0 7-10  LMHNDM002

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Greene.

Botanical References

11200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

jane owen   Tue May 9 2006

hi,i have just found out that my horse has an allergie to cupressus arizonica trees.he comes out in small lumps all over his body and they come to a head and then burst and puss comes out. sorry if it sounds yuk but thats how it is. so i was woundering if you could send me as much imformation as possible so i could find mybe a herbal remedy to help him as the vet said he may go mad if i was to start injecting him with things to help him.If you could help at all i would be very gratfull many thanks jane & troy(horse)

   Apr 12 2011 12:00AM

The rough-bark variety of this tree typically blooms from February to April in Texas and Arizona. The cones mature in late summer to early fall and then open. Only about 5% of seeds are left in the cones by the following spring. Seed germination is improved by 72 hours soaking prior to planting. Germination typically occurs 3-6 weeks after planting. Spring and fall are the best planting seasons in Zone 8 United States.

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