Cupressus Macrocarpa

Cupressus macrocarpa, an evergreen coniferous tree, is narrowly conical to columnar and spiky topped when young, while becoming very wide spreading with age. The tree reaches a height of 25-40 meters in 10 to 20 years, the bark diameter is generally 1,5 to 2.5 meters but normally attains aheight of 70-90ft. The tree has a shallowly ridged bark with pointed, dark to bright green lemon scented leaves borne in erect or spreading, plume-like sprays, oppositely arranged, simple, entire, evergreen and less than 2inches. Flowers are yellow in colour. Flowering occurs in spring. Fruit is round in shape and around 1-5inch in size. Cupressus macrocarpa seed cones are grayish white in color, oblongoid in shape, and contain 4-6 pairs of scales. Cupressus macrocarpa seeds are about 5-6 mm dark brown, non-spherical seeds. Cupressus macrocarpa generally observes a serotinous behavior and seeds are generally released in response to wildfires. It is moderately drought tolerant. It can also propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings.