False-cypress is a genus of 6 evergreen trees of the cypress family (Cupressaceae). They are native to the North American coasts and temperate East Asia. The genus name derives from the Greek words chamai , for "dwarf or low to the ground" and kuparissos , for "cypress." This is a group of medium to large trees from 50 to 90 feet tall in the landscape, or even taller in the wild. These trees are low maintenance and tolerate full sun to part shade, preferably in moist, well-drained soil. Moderate pruning will help maintain its conical form and ethically pleasing shape. They will tolerate drought and moderate amounts of salt as well as browsing by deer and rabbits. Cuttings may be rooted in late summer for propagation. Cypress trees provide vertical interest to the landscape as a handsome specimen and are sometimes grouped in hedges. In the home landscape, compact or dwarf cultivars are popular as small accents or specimen trees, providing winter interest. Use cypress trees in formal English, or Asian gardens, or along riparian areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Minor insect pests include bagworms, witches' broom, spindle burl gall. This species has some susceptibility to juniper blight ( Phomopsis juniperovora ) and root rot. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
more than 60 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 99 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
Scale-like or awl-like leaves arranged around the branches. Many species have white markings on the underside that aid in identification. Branches may lay flat or spiral around. Some cultivars have yellow coloring.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Showy
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
No true flowers– the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
No true fruit– female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Often reddish-brown with either fibrous or blocky bark.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
East & West North America, Japan, Laos, Taiwan, Viet Nam
Distribution
Introduced to Europe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Riparian; Vertical Spaces
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; English Garden; Water Garden; Winter Garden