But did you know that there are more than 140 types of cypress trees out there?
In this post, we shall look into the different types of cypress trees.
So, without much ado, here are the types of cypress trees for you.
There are a lot of notable symbolisms to which cypress trees are associated.
If you are curious about what these could be, here are some.
Due to its upward symmetry, it signifies the movement of the soul to heaven.
The same is true for the Persians who consider cypress trees as the first tree to grow in Paradise.
Underworld
The cypress is also considered as the tree of the underworld or the tree of Hades.
Its dark green foliage is used by Hades cults in making crowns used symbolically during sacrifice.
The maiden had a domesticated deer.
While hunting, Apollo accidentally killed the deer with his bow.
She was so devastated, she begged to die so Apollo made the deer into a tree.
Catholicism
Cypress trees are said to be dual representations of life and death.
China
Cypress seeds are symbols of longevity as they were conceived to be full of yang energy.
Japan
Thehinokicypress is the most used wood in Shinto rites.
It is used in making the scepters of priests and instruments.
In religious rites, rubbing twohinokicypresses are used to light fire.
It is also engraved across the tombs of pharaohs in Egypt.
The same is true for Islamic mosques in Asia, particularly in Turkey.
Knowing how they look is important for you to know before you line your property with these beautiful trees.
Leaves
The most stunning feature of the cypress tree would be their leaves.
They range from dark green, to blue green, and lighter green.
The leaves can also be scaly looking or needle like, sometimes overlapping and sometimes braided.
As such, some have woody branches while some feature flat and smooth surfaced branches.
Shape
The shape of cypress trees varies depending on jot down.
Nonetheless, they sport a pyramid, symmetrical shape.
Height
Most cypress trees grow to up to 70ft like the Monterey cypress.
They usually have a shade coverage that is consonant with their height.
Fruit
The tree produces small cones, at a width of 2-inches, nutty and very woody.
Each of the cones contain more than 30 seeds.
Types of cypress trees
There are at least 25 types of cypress trees found around the world.
Half of these are endemic in North America.
They can be categorized generally as true or false cypresses.
Each key in has its own unique characteristic, setting each apart from each other.
Here are the types of cypress trees for you.
This cypress is called as such because it becomes needleless during winter.
They have an upright and triangular form and their roots are wrapped around the knees.
It features a weeping branches and blue-green foliage.
It is perfect to plant along with yuccas, acacias, andpalms, among others.
While beautiful, you have to know that it grows extensively and it is only hardy in zone 9.
Its foliage is composed of dense, dark green to yellow green needles which tend to spray out.
They are very slow-growers and this is why they are considered as rare cypress types.
It reaches a height of 100ft, featuring beautiful matte green leaves, and reddish-brown, globular cones.
This one has become very rare due to overlogging.
It can reach 50ft, with an open form, smooth, reddish-brown bark.
Its leaves are uniquely blue and emit a lemony scent when crushed.
It is, however, near extinction due to the California fires of 2003.
It is a slow-growing cypress, sporting the traditional pyramidal look.
They grow very large, often up to 80ft.
There are also dwarf hinoki cypresses that look beautiful as container plants.
8.Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)
This tall evergreen cypress is also called the Port Orford cedar.
It grows to up to 200ft, featuring blue green leaf sprays and scaly, flat green leaves.
Since it grows very large, this one is perfect as windbreakers and as permanent fence and property lines.
Some of the most notable Lawson cypress cultivars would be: Ellwoodii, Silver Thread, and Minima Glauca.
They are loved for their soft leaves and year-round golden yellow color.
It has a scaly bark, with spherical cones, and an upright, columnar growth.
It is a perfect focal point in vast US estates and is popular for hedging in the UK.
It is highly ornamental, sporting a purple sheen and a stunning reddish-brown bark.
This one is more of a shrub key in, growing to up to 40ft.
12.Mediterranean cypress or Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
This one is considered as the original cypress.
The seed cones, on the other hand, are elongated.
They grow to up to 70ft and are the referenced cypress tree in literature and in biblical texts.
It is often considered as a subtype of the Goveniana.
Ornamentally, we love its long, scaly leaves, with a dark green color.
The cones are also unique as they are rounded, and come with scales arranged opposite each other.
14.Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa)
This one is a medium sized cypress, native to California.
It is unique for its flat top form, with branches spreading sideways.
It is also unique for its woody, oblong cones and fibrous bark.
It is resistant to drought and freezing points and its wood is very durable, lightweight and aromatic.
Bans on logging for Moroccan cypress have been established due to overgrazing and overexploitation.
They grow to up to 20ft in height and a shade of up to 4ft.
They grow to up to 60ft, sporting golden brown and orange leaves during fall.
When they are grown near marshes, and ponds, their trunk shall look swollen.
Unlike the bald cypress, they do not produce knees.
Also, they are drought tolerant.
They can also tolerate wintry temperatures of up to 7C.
However, it is also considered as near extinct with just 150 full trees around in the wild.
It is unique for its conical yet open form, with dark brown bark that strips with age.
This one is often compared to the Arizona cypress because of their uncanny resemblance.
20.Smooth Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica var.
It thrives in dry environments with cool nights.
This one in particular has a striking open form with standout silver and blue green needles.
21.Tecate cypress (Cupressus forbesii)
This one is also called the Forbes cypress.
It has an upright behavior, growing to up to 30ft tall and 15ft wide.
It is unique for being one of the few multi-trunk cypress out there.
Its natural habitat would be rocky soils.
Its leaves are deep to light green with dark brown cones.
They are perfect around drought tolerant plants and are beautiful for hedging sloped yards.
22.Tibetan cypress (Cupressus gigantea)
It also goes by the name of Tsangpo cypress.
It grows majestic, featuring a pyramid form, with dark green sprays and lighter green needles.
False cypress vs. true cypress
To begin with, both are considered cypresses, collectively.
True cypresses on one hand belong to the genus Cupressus and are the coniferous types of cypresses.
They are considered as the original cypresses noted to have originated from Italy and southern France.
They are denser, way taller, and woodier.
On the other hand, false cypresses come endemically from Asia.
They are the rounder, shorter types of cypresses.
Their woods are also softer compared to true cypresses, often sporting flatter needles for the foliage.
Their foliage ranges from green to gold, and then turns into reddish colors in winter.
Generally, caring for them can help advance their health and lead to a healthier, longer life.
For instance, pruning can be considered one of the essential procedures beneficial for the tree.
It can help improve the overall look of the trees and the property.
It can also reduce the risk of accidents and injuries triggered by overgrown branches.
They have valuable experience, skills, and tools to perform the job professionally and quickly.
FAQs
How many types of cypress trees are there?
To date, there are at least 25 types of cypress trees in the world.
The densest, tallest, fastest growing cypress trees are found in North America like the Leyland cypress.
How long do cypress trees live?
At best, ornamental cypress trees have an average lifespan of 10-25 years given the right maintenance tips.
But overall, cypress trees can live for hundreds and even thousands of years.
The bald cypress, for instance, is noted as the oldest cypress tree.
The one found around the Black River is at least 2,500 years old.
What are cypress trees good for?
Here are some of the cypress tree benefits that you should know of.
Can I plant a bald cypress in water?
you might, in containers, but this is not ideal.
Bald cypresses love well-draining, acidic and alkaline soils and prefer sunny locations.
Nonetheless, these are flood tolerant cypress types and survive along ponds and marshlands.
Are cypress trees fast-growing?
The answer to this depends on the bang out of cypress tree that you have.
Some cypresses are fast growing like the Leyland cypress.
They have a growth rate of 3-6-ft a year.
Some are considered slow growers, growing at just 1-3-ft annually.
How far apart do you plant cypress trees?
But if you want to have a privacy line for your property, a 4-6-ft planting gap is fine.
Where do cypress trees grow best?
Cypress trees thrive best in full sun and partial shade.
This should be coupled with well-draining soils, moist to dry soils.
On the other hand, they also do not fall short when it comes to aesthetic value.
They are good as border trees, windbreakers, for arbors, and more.
