The Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is an evergreen conifer native to southern Europe and western Asia.

Appearance:

• It grows up to approximately 35 meters (115 feet) tall.
• The conical crown features level branches and variably loosely hanging branchlets.
• The foliage consists of dense sprays of dark green leaves.

Longevity:

• The Italian Cypress is very long-lived, with some trees reported to be over 1,000 years old.

Leaf Characteristics:

• The leaves are scale-like, measuring 2–5 mm in length.
• They are produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots.

Seed Cones:

• The seed cones are ovoid or oblong, about 25–40 mm long.
• They have 10–14 scales that start green and mature to brown about 20–24 months after pollination.

Caring

• The Italian Cypress likes to be on the dry side.
• Choose a sunny location (4 to 8 hours of sunlight daily) with well-drained soil.
• Plant in a hole that is just as deep but twice as wide as the root ball of the tree.
• Water well at the time of planting. Be sure not to let your new trees dry out within the first few months before they are established.
• We recommend watering your trees as soon as they arrive – even before you plant them. This will ensure that the roots are moist and ready for planting.
• Once established these evergreen trees are drought tolerant and will only need to be watered once or twice a month in summer.
• Winter is the ideal time to prune for shape, height, or to remove problem branches.
• Early Spring is the best time to fertilize and add any soil amendments.

Uses:

• Widely cultivated as an ornamental tree outside its native range.
• Commonly found throughout the Mediterranean region, California, South Africa, and southern Australia.