Arizona Cypress Tree Facts: Learn How To Care For A Cypress Tree

Did you know that the Arizona cypress tree can be utilized as a living Christmas tree?

Different coniferous trees and shrubs of the temperate regions in the north are commonly referred to as cypresses. Cypresses belong to the Cupressaceae family which is a native of North America.

These trees grow quite fast. People do not consider growing cypress trees generally because they think that they only grow well in wet and boggy soil. Cypress trees multiply themselves by sexual reproduction using pollen cones.

The Arizona cypress, scientifically called Cupressus arizonica, is a species of cypress tree found in North America. The Arizona cypress is mostly present in New Mexico, mainly northern Mexico, and in the southwestern regions of the United States of America. The population of the Arizona cypress is relatively scattered rather than dense.

After reading about the shape and foliage of the Arizona cypress tree, also check Arizona desert facts and Arizona geography facts.

Varieties Of Arizona Cypress

Cypresses are long-living trees. Reportedly,  some cypress trees have even lived for as long as 1000 years. The form and colors of cypress trees vary from place to place. A cypress that is found in the Mediterranean region might be narrow and upright while the ones found in Asia might be a bit more spreading.

The Nootka cypress or Alaskan cypress is found on the western coast of the continent of North America. These trees are also known as yellow cypress. Cupressus cashmeriana, found in Bhutan, is the most beautiful of all the cypresses.

Monterey cypress is a thin, upright tree that is a rich, green color. They are tall trees found in wildlife.

These tall trees sometimes have blue-green flowers on the wood of their bark. They grow at a medium rate. They grow in partial sun as well as the full sun, even in sandy soil.

Most cypress trees are dioecious. That is to say, there are male trees with flowers and trees with a female cone and female flowers.

Older trees have a trunk diameter of up to 6 ft (1.8 m). The same tree can be found in West Texas. The cypress bark beetle is a native insect that occurs throughout Arizona.

The best time to plant a cypress is from late summer through to late fall. The summer gives it enough sunlight to grow to the extent where it can sustain itself easily.

Common Pests And Diseases

The Arizona cypresses are native to California. The Arizona cypress is normally resistant to diseases if it is planted in the proper climate that is required for its growth. However, when an Arizona cypress catches fungal diseases, treatment of the tree becomes a bit difficult.

Diseases found in small cypress groups can be cured but if the disease has spread over a large area then it becomes out of control.

The best measure in order to plant a cypress tree that is less susceptible to fungal diseases is to plant it in a place where it receives full sunlight as well as well-drained soil. Avoid overhead irrigation of the trees and keep a check on their growth during long periods of rain.

Immediately cut off the branches that seem to be infected by fungal diseases.

Pests that are common to the cypress trees are bagworms. Bagworms defoliate the trees by chewing through the leaves. Cypress bark beetles are also harmful to the trees because they make holes in the trunk of the tree. These beetles might kill the entire tree if we do not take important preventive measures as early as possible.

How To Grow The Blue Ice Cypress

The Blue Ice cypress tree should be planted in a region where it gets well-drained soil and experiences partial or full sunlight. The soil that is the most suitable for the growth of the Blue Ice cypress is sandy or gravelly soil.

If the soil is too firm then you must amend it and instead use gravels the size of a pea.

The sapling should be planted during the fall season or early spring. Make sure you plant the tree at a suitable location.

The branches of this tree are highly aromatic. Some people do not like the smell of the Blue Ice cypress so if you are one of them then plant the tree opposite to the direction of the wind so that the smell doesn't enter your house through the doors and the windows.

The Blue Ice cypress is different from the Carolina sapphire cypress on account of growth. The Carolina Sapphire grows much faster than the Blue Ice cypress tree.

The height of the Carolina Sapphire increases approximately 12-30 in (30.5-76.2 cm) annually whereas the height of the Blue Ice cypress increases only 10-15 in (25.4-38.1 cm) annually. A mature Blue Ice cypress tree can extend up to 30-50 in (76.2-127 cm) in height.

You may wonder what a mature tree is. Well, a tree becomes mature when it starts producing fruits or flowers.

Blue Cypress Tree Problems

The Blue Ice cypress tree might be more susceptible to fungal disease when it is grown in a highly humid climate or in extra wet soil. Cankers might develop in the trees because of over-watering. On the other hand, drought might lead to an attack from cypress bark beetles.

The cypress bark beetles form their colonies on the dead and broken branches of the tree. Especially when the tree is drought-stricken, the beetles chew up the trunk of the tree.  The beetle colonies damage the phloem tissues of the tree that carry nutrients throughout the tree.

Sometimes, the branches of the cypress trees turn brown because of the infiltration of three different types of fungi that include bought fungi, iridium, and Cercospora. The three types of fungi enter inside the tree during summers. In the hot months, the stomata of the leaves enlarge and allow the entrance of the fungi.

Arizona Cypress Tree Care

If you wish to see the trees growing well, plant the Arizona cypress seeds in fully sunlit areas that offer well-drained soil. Arizona cypress trees grow in hot and dry conditions.

Arizona cypress trees can favorably grow in soils with any type of pH; neutral, acidic, and alkaline. The trees can tolerate sandy, clayey and loamy soils.

Arizona cypress trees can tolerate dry soil types but they need about 9-12 in (22.9-30.5 cm) of water a year. It can be used as a windbreak tree as well as for erosion control.

Alternative Plants To Consider

Just like two sides of the same coin, there are pros and cons to growing a cypress tree. Hence, there are certain alternative plants that gardeners prefer instead of the Arizona cypress trees. Green Giant Arborvitae plants are the best alternative to the Arizona cypress trees.

These are free of any diseases, they have moderate resistance towards drought and they have a perfect tolerance towards heat as well as humidity. The plant can grow up to a height of three feet in a year.

It requires one or two sessions of pruning a year. The plant can grow in full sun as well as partial shade.

The Virescens Western Red Cedar is another great alternative for cypress trees. The plant has a good habit of growing upright. You can either prune it tightly to present a formal look or simply prune it in a casual way representing relaxed gardening styles.

The average growth rate of the plant is approximately 2 ft (0.6 m). The plant is native to the West Coast. It is moderately drought resistant and can grow in full to partial sunlight.

American Arborvitae is native to the eastern regions of the United States of America and Canada. It has evolved to become a popular choice of gardeners over the years.

The plant grows one or two inches annually and can grow well in both full as well as partial sunlight. If you want the plant to respond well, prune it regularly. It is moderately drought tolerant and requires low maintenance.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Arizona cypress tree facts then why not take a look at Arizona economy facts, or Arizona dust storms facts?