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Form

Cupressaceae

Arizona Cypress is native to Texas only in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park, but is widely cultivated as a speciman tree and for dense windbreaks in west Texas and the southern High Plains, as a Christmas tree for the southwestern states, and for erosion control in dry areas. It is a medium to large evergreen tree with small scale-like green, blue-gray to silver- blue leaves. It is compact, drought tolerant and fast-growing. Trees are narrowly conical in youth, broadening somewhat with age. Old specimens have attractive exfoliating or fissured red-brown to black-brown bark.

Plant Habit or Use: upright conifer medium tree large tree

Exposure: sun

Flower Color: monoecious, not ornamental, pollen causes allergic reactions in some people

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: small globular cone

Height: 30 to 50 ft., 90+ ft. possible

Width: 10 to 20 ft.

Plant Character: evergreen

Heat Tolerance: very high

Water Requirements: low

Soil Requirements: adaptable

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Additional Comments: