Hesperocyparis arizonica
Arizona Cypress
Photo: M. Ritter, J. Reimer and C. Stubler courtesy of SelecTree
Hesperocyparis arizonica, (syn. Cupressus arizonica) Arizona cypress, is a medium sized rounded pyramidal conifer. It has attractive bluish scale like needles and beautiful exfoliating bark. It's heat and drought tolerant and fast-growing.
Susceptible to Juniper Blight, relatively short-lived (30-50 years).
Excellent potential utility as an urban tree based on evaluation of 15 trees, healthy crown, 100% survival, fast growth rate. Signs of chlorosis on one individual. Some of our field trial plants blew over in a winter wind storm.
We trialed sowing fresh seed immediately in greenhouse and fresh seed put into 90 day cold stratification in sand in the refrigerator. We got similarly mediocre germination with both treatments, but cones produce abundant seeds. Seedlings are fast-growing.
