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BOTANICAL NAME: Cupressus sempervirens (koo-PRESS-us sem-per-VYE-renz)
TYPE: Evergreen tree


Cypress, Italian

BOTANICAL NAME: Cupressus sempervirens (koo-PRESS-us sem-per-VYE-renz)
FAMILY: Cupressaceae
TYPE: Evergreen tree
HEIGHT: 40 to 60 feet
SPREAD: 3 to 6 feet
FINAL SPACING: 3-6 feet

HABIT: Narrow columnar habit of growth forming tall, dark green columns normally no more than three feet wide. The scale-like leaves give a very fine texture to any setting. Planted three feet apart, they make a dense screen. It quickly grows much too tall for most residential landscapes, looking much like a green telephone pole.
FOLIAGE: Trunk, bark and branches grow upright and will not droop, with a single leader; no thorns. Needs little pruning to develop a strong structure. Dark green foliage that is whorled and scale-like. No fall color change.
FLOWERS: Inconspicuous and not showy
FRUIT: Brown, oval, dry, hard, .5 to 1 inch.

CULTURE: Grows in full sun. Tolerant of most soils. Drought tolerant and salt tolerant in various well-drained soils. Italian Cypress should not be pruned. Western United States in USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 11
USES: Italian Cypress is often used for framing, as a strong accent around large buildings, or in the formal landscape but does not lend itself well to many home landscapes. Screen or specimen.
PROBLEMS: Verticillium wilt susceptibility. Root diseases related to being planted too deeply is far too common. It is very susceptible to mites and trees are often infested. Bagworms and mites are occasionally a problem. Root rot disease can be a problem in poorly-drained soil. Canker is a devastating disease that has killed many trees in California.
OTHER CYPRESSES:
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