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| ## arizona cypress {#arizona-cypress .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Cupressus arizonica* Greene                                          |
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| Plant Symbol = CUAR                                                   |
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*Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program*

##### 

![Color image of Arizona Cypress (Cupressus
arizonica)](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.133464566929134in"
height="3.2in"}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Livestock*: This tree can be harvested, processed, and used for fence
posts because it is quite durable when seasoned.

*Timber*: Arizona cypress has little value when grown for timber but has
been used for Christmas trees and for some hobby and craft items.

*Erosion control*: This tree has been used for windbreaks in desert
areas.

##### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description

*Cupressus arizonica* Greene, Arizona cypress, is the only cypress
native to the southwest. It is a medium sized tree 50 to 60 feet tall
and 15 to 30 inches in diameter. It is evergreen, with a dense, upright,
cone-shaped crown and smooth reddish-brown bark that sometimes becomes
fibrous with flat ridges. Leaves are scale-like and grayish-green,
bluish-green, or silvery, arranged opposite in pairs and tightly
clasping the cord-like or four-sided twigs; they emit a fetid odor when
crushed. The cones are 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter, somewhat round, dark
reddish brown, with 6 to 8 shield-shaped woody scales. The cones mature
in autumn of the second season but persist on the tree for many years.

##### Adaptation and Distribution

It is found naturally on dry, sterile, rocky mountain slopes and canyon
walls, but does very well when planted on better soils or when
irrigated. It requires a minimum of 10 to 12 inches of water annually.
It is not recommended for elevations of over 3,000 feet nor is it
recommended for soils with a high water table. It requires full sunlight
for best development, but is subject to sunscald when grown as an
ornamental. Though it grows slowly under natural dry conditions, it is a
rapid grower (up to 3 feet per year) on better soils with a good
moisture regime.

Arizona cypress is distributed throughout the Southwest. For a current
distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species
on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Arizona cypress is usually available as 1 year old potted stock. It
should be planted in areas where there is at least 10 to 12 inches of
water available annually either naturally or through irrigation. Early
spring is the best time for planting. For windbreaks 6-foot spacing in
rows is recommended. Open sunlight is required for best growth.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Arizona cypress generally requires little maintenance. Deep watering at
least every other week is necessary for desert planting during the
growing season. Arizona cypress is especially susceptible to fire and
needs proper protection.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Arizona cypress ordinarily has few disease pests, but when grown in
areas of high humidity, incidence of disease increases. Principal
enemies are mistletoes and rusts. The cypress bark beetle may be
troublesome by mining twigs on ornamentals.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

No cultivars are known, but Arizona cypress plants are available from
most commercial conifer nurseries in the west.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Editied: 01Feb2002 JLK; 05jun06 jsp {#editied-01feb2002-jlk-05jun06-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*