At a glance
| Family | Cupressaceae (cypress family) |
|---|---|
| Main genera | Taxodium (bald cypress), Cupressus and Hesperocyparis (true cypresses), Chamaecyparis (false cypress), and the hybrid Leyland cypress (× Hesperotropsis leylandii) |
| Type | Conifers; most are evergreen, bald cypress and pond cypress are deciduous |
| USDA zones | Bald cypress 4–11 (range varies by source); Leyland 6–10; Italian 7b–11; Arizona 7–11 |
| Mature size | Bald cypress 50–70 ft tall, 20–30 ft wide; Leyland 60–70 ft tall, 10–20 ft wide; Italian 40–60 ft tall, 3–6 ft wide |
| Light | Full sun for all main types; bald cypress also takes part shade |
| Soil | Bald cypress: wet to well-drained, acidic to slightly alkaline (avoid pH above 7.5). Leyland, Italian, and Arizona: well-drained |
| Native range | Bald cypress: Southeastern U.S. and Mississippi Valley. Italian: southern Europe and western Asia. Arizona: Southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Leyland: hybrid that arose in England |
| Common problems | Canker diseases and root rot (Leyland, Italian), bagworms, mites, poor growth in alkaline soil (bald cypress) |
What is a cypress tree?
"Cypress" is not one tree. It is a common name shared by several conifers in the cypress family, Cupressaceae, that differ in almost every way that matters to a gardener: whether they keep their foliage in winter, how big they get, and whether they want swamp or desert.
- True cypresses include the Old World genus Cupressus, such as Italian cypress, and the New World cypresses, such as Arizona and Monterey cypress, which many references now place in the genus Hesperocyparis. They are evergreen, with small scale-like leaves and round, woody cones.
- Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a deciduous conifer native to the Southeastern U.S. that sheds its soft needles every fall, hence "bald." Clemson Extension notes it is one of only five conifer species that drop their needles in fall.
- Leyland cypress is a hybrid between Monterey cypress and Nootka (Alaska) cypress that arose by accidental cross-pollination on Christopher Leyland's property in England, per NC State Extension, which now lists it as × Hesperotropsis leylandii (formerly × Cupressocyparis or × Cuprocyparis leylandii). It is the fast-growing evergreen in countless privacy screens.
- False cypresses (Chamaecyparis) are a genus of six evergreen species native to the North American coasts and temperate East Asia, per NC State Extension, including Hinoki and Sawara cypress and the native Atlantic white cedar. They have flattened, fan-like sprays of foliage and small cones.
Types of cypress trees compared
| Type | Botanical name | Foliage | Native range | USDA zones | Mature size | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bald cypress | Taxodium distichum | Deciduous; soft, feathery needles | Southeastern U.S. and Mississippi Valley | 4–11 (NC State 4–9; UF/IFAS 5–10; Clemson 5–11) | 50–70 ft tall, 20–30 ft wide in landscapes | Wet sites, pond edges, large lawns, streets |
| Pond cypress | Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium | Deciduous | Southeastern Coastal Plain, North Carolina to Louisiana and southeast Texas | 5–11 (Clemson) | Check the nursery tag | Standing water and wet sites |
| Leyland cypress | × Hesperotropsis leylandii (syn. × Cuprocyparis leylandii) | Evergreen; flattened sprays of scale leaves | Hybrid that arose in England | 6–10 | 60–70 ft tall, 10–20 ft wide | Fast screens and windbreaks |
| Italian cypress | Cupressus sempervirens | Evergreen; dark green scale leaves | Southern Europe and western Asia | 7b–11 | 40–60 ft tall, usually 3–6 ft wide | Formal vertical accents in hot, dry climates |
| Arizona cypress | Hesperocyparis arizonica (syn. Cupressus arizonica) | Evergreen; silvery-blue to blue-green | Southwestern U.S. and Mexico | 7–11 | 40–60 ft tall, 15–20 ft wide | Drought-tolerant screens; Leyland alternative in the Southeast |
| False cypress | Chamaecyparis spp. | Evergreen; fan-like flat sprays, many colored cultivars | North American coasts and temperate East Asia | Varies by species | Dwarf shrubs to large trees | Foundation plantings, specimens, small yards |
Bald cypress
Clemson Extension highlights bald cypress's urban toughness: it tolerates air pollution and poorly drained, compacted, and dry soils, and it is used in streetscapes and parking lots. Its needles turn orange-red to reddish-brown in fall before dropping. It grows naturally in swamps and along rivers, yet UF/IFAS notes growth is often faster on moist, well-drained soil. In wet sites it forms "knees," woody cone-shaped growths 1–3 feet tall that rise from the roots around the trunk; UF/IFAS notes they do not generally form on drier sites. It grows on almost any soil except alkaline soil above pH 7.5, per UF/IFAS.
Leyland cypress
Per Clemson Extension, young Leyland cypress grows about 3–4 feet per year, which is why it is so widely planted for screens in zones 6–10. The trade-off is disease: NC State Extension lists bagworms, Seiridium and Botryosphaeria cankers, and Armillaria and Phytophthora root rots, notes that the cankers and root rots are incurable, and says the trees typically live 20 to 50 years. An NC State Extension article from Lee County attributes widespread decline to overplanting, and Clemson Extension publishes a list of alternatives. For ranked screen options, see the best shrubs for privacy screens.
Italian cypress
Italian cypress is the tall, pencil-thin evergreen of Mediterranean landscapes. University of Florida IFAS Extension lists it for zones 7b–11, growing 40–60 feet tall but normally no more than about 3 feet wide; Utah State University Extension recommends it generally only for warm, dry climates. It wants full sun and well-drained soil. UF/IFAS notes root rot in poorly drained soil, frequent mite problems, and a canker disease that has killed many trees in California.
Arizona cypress
Native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, Arizona cypress has silvery-blue to blue-green foliage, a low water requirement once established, and moderate drought tolerance. NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox lists it as Hesperocyparis arizonica (formerly Cupressus arizonica), growing 4–8 inches a year to 40–60 feet. Clemson Extension suggests it as a Leyland cypress alternative for dry, sunny sites.
False cypress
The Chamaecyparis group includes many cultivars, from dwarf mounds to trees 50–90 feet tall, many in gold or blue foliage. They are typically used as specimens and foundation plants rather than screens. For evergreen shrubs that resemble them, see how to identify common evergreen shrubs.
How to identify cypress trees
- Scale-leaf cypresses (Italian, Arizona, Leyland, Monterey) have tiny overlapping scale leaves that cover the twigs, and round, woody cones made of shield-shaped scales that fit together like a soccer ball.
- False cypresses have flatter, fan-like sprays, often with white markings on the undersides, and smaller cones.
- Bald cypress has soft, flat needles arranged in two rows along deciduous side twigs, so whole branchlets drop in fall. Cones are round, about 3/4 to 1 inch across, and split open when ripe. Old trees in water develop flared, buttressed trunks and knees.
Cypress look-alikes
| Look-alike | Confused with | How to tell |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) | Bald cypress | Both are deciduous conifers with feathery needles, but dawn redwood needles and side shoots are opposite each other; bald cypress needles and twigs are alternate |
| Arborvitae (Thuja spp.) | Leyland and false cypress | Flat sprays with small, oblong, upright cones that open like a flower rather than round, closed-looking cones |
| Junipers (Juniperus spp.) | Italian and Arizona cypress | Berry-like, waxy blue cones instead of woody cones; often a mix of prickly and scale foliage; see juniper care |
| Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) | Italian cypress (columnar forms) | A juniper: blue, berry-like cones on female trees |
Which cypress should you plant?
| Your goal or site | Best cypress choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wet ground, pond edge, or rain garden margin | Bald cypress or pond cypress | Tolerates standing water and periodic flooding; also handles drier soil |
| Native tree for wildlife and fall color | Bald cypress | Native to the Southeast; rusty fall color |
| Fast privacy screen, zones 6–10 | Leyland cypress, with caution | Fastest growth, but disease-prone; space trees and keep them watered, or consider alternatives |
| Formal vertical accent in a hot, dry climate | Italian cypress | Narrow, upright form; needs heat and drainage |
| Drought-tolerant evergreen screen | Arizona cypress | Handles heat and dry soil once established |
| Small yard or foundation planting | Dwarf false cypress cultivar | Wide range of compact sizes and colors |
| Cold zones 3–5 | Bald cypress (NC State lists it to zone 4); otherwise look beyond true cypress | Leyland is rated to zone 6, and Italian and Arizona cypress to zone 7 |
For other fast evergreens and their trade-offs, see the best plants for windbreak hedges.
How to plant and care for cypress trees
- Match the species to the site first. Bald cypress is the only common cypress that wants wet soil. Leyland, Italian, and Arizona cypress all decline in poorly drained ground.
- Plant in full sun, in spring or fall, with the root flare at or slightly above grade. See how to plant a tree the right way.
- Give screens room. Leyland cypress reaches 10–20 feet wide, and the NC State Extension Lee County article recommends spacing at least 12–15 feet apart; plants set too close hasten the spread of disease. Mixed screens of several species in small clusters also limit spread.
- Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, and during droughts afterward for Leyland cypress, whose canker problems worsen with drought stress.
- Mulch 2–3 inches over the root zone, kept away from the trunk.
- Check soil pH for bald cypress. UF/IFAS advises against alkaline soil above pH 7.5. If needles yellow, test the soil before adding fertilizer.
- Prune lightly and in dry weather. Remove dead or diseased branches promptly, cutting into healthy wood and disinfecting tools between cuts on cankered trees. Clemson advises pruning Leyland cypress only during dry periods to help prevent disease, and UF/IFAS says Italian cypress should not be pruned.
Common cypress tree problems
| Problem | Most affected | Signs | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seiridium and Botryosphaeria canker | Leyland cypress; Italian cypress (UF/IFAS notes canker has killed many in California) | Individual branches turn yellow to brown and die back; dark oval lesions or cankers on stems | Prune out dead branches during dry weather, reduce drought stress; NC State notes cankers are incurable. See how to identify tree cankers |
| Bagworms | Leyland cypress especially; also Italian and bald cypress | Spindle-shaped bags of foliage hanging from branches; stripped tips | Hand-pick bags in winter and early spring; see bagworm on arborvitae and evergreens |
| Root rot | Leyland and Italian cypress in poorly drained soil | Stunting, sparse yellowing foliage, dieback, sometimes whole-tree death | Plant only in well-drained soil; NC State notes root rots are incurable |
| Spider mites | Italian cypress; bald cypress in dry summers without irrigation | Early browning and needle drop in mid to late summer | Water during dry spells; consult Extension for control |
| Poor growth or yellowing in alkaline soil | Bald cypress in soil above pH 7.5 | Yellowing needles, weak growth | Test pH; see iron vs. nitrogen chlorosis |
| Needle blight | Leyland cypress | In summer, needles brown and drop starting near the trunk and spreading toward the branch tips | Improve air flow with proper spacing |
| Normal needle drop | Bald cypress | All foliage turns rusty brown and falls in autumn | Nothing; it is deciduous and will leaf out in spring |
Before treating a browning bald cypress in fall, remember that it is supposed to lose its needles. This is the most common false alarm with the species.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Panicking when a bald cypress turns brown in fall | It is a deciduous conifer; needle drop is normal | Wait for spring leaf-out |
| Planting Leyland cypress in a tight single row | Crowding and stress invite canker diseases | Space trees at least 12–15 ft apart, mix species, and water during droughts |
| Planting Italian, Arizona, or Leyland cypress in wet soil | They are prone to root rot in poor drainage | Use bald cypress for wet spots |
| Planting bald cypress in alkaline soil without testing | UF/IFAS notes it grows on almost any soil except alkaline soil above pH 7.5 | Test soil pH before planting |
| Pruning Leyland cypress in wet weather | Clemson advises pruning only in dry periods to help prevent disease spread | Prune in dry weather and disinfect tools between cuts |
Frequently asked
What does a cypress tree look like?
It depends on the type. True cypresses such as Italian and Arizona cypress are evergreen with tiny scale-like leaves and round woody cones, while bald cypress has soft, feathery needles that turn rusty orange and drop in fall. Leyland cypress forms a dense, conical evergreen with flattened sprays of foliage.
Are cypress trees evergreen?
Most are. Italian, Leyland, Arizona, Monterey, and false cypresses keep their foliage year-round. Bald cypress and pond cypress are deciduous conifers that shed their needles every autumn and regrow them in spring.
Where do cypress trees grow?
Bald cypress grows naturally in swamps, river bottoms, and lake edges from southern Delaware to Florida and Texas and up the Mississippi Valley, and is planted in roughly zones 4–11 depending on the source. Italian cypress comes from southern Europe and western Asia, Arizona cypress from the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, and Leyland cypress is a hybrid grown in zones 6–10.
How fast do cypress trees grow?
Leyland cypress is the fastest; Clemson Extension reports young trees grow about 3–4 feet per year. Bald cypress grows moderately fast, about 1–2 feet per year per Clemson, and faster on moist, well-drained sites. Arizona cypress grows about 4–8 inches a year, per NC State Extension.
How tall do cypress trees grow?
Bald cypress typically reaches 50–70 feet in landscapes, and Leyland cypress 60–70 feet tall by 10–20 feet wide. Italian cypress grows 40–60 feet tall while staying only about 3–6 feet wide. False cypresses range from dwarf shrubs to large trees depending on the cultivar.
How long do Leyland cypress trees live?
NC State Extension says Leyland cypress typically lives 20 to 50 years, depending on the environment. Canker diseases, root rots, and bagworms often cause decline sooner in crowded or drought-stressed plantings, so good spacing, drainage, and watering during droughts extend their useful life.
Why do bald cypress trees have knees?
Bald cypress growing in wet or flooded soil forms knees, woody cone-shaped projections 1–3 feet tall that rise from the roots around the tree; Clemson notes they help with structural support and gas exchange. UF/IFAS notes knees do not generally form on drier sites, so planting away from water usually means few or no knees.
Sources
- Bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum): Identification, Care, Growth Rate & Landscape Use, Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center
- Taxodium distichum (Baldcypress), NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Taxodium distichum: Baldcypress (ENH-778/ST620), University of Florida IFAS Extension
- Leyland Cypress, Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center
- x Hesperotropsis leylandii (Leyland Cypress), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Leyland Cypress Alternatives, Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center
- Problems With Leyland Cypress, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center
- Cupressus sempervirens: Italian Cypress (ENH384/ST225), University of Florida IFAS Extension
- Cypress, Italian, Utah State University Extension Tree Browser
- Hesperocyparis arizonica (Arizona Cypress), NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Chamaecyparis (False Cypress), NC State Extension Plant Toolbox