CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS (CYPRESS)

Origin

The Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is, for many people, the very symbol of holidays: especially in Tuscany, but also in some other Mediterranean regions, numerous roads are lined with old cypress avenues. These slender, tall coniferous trees are easily recognizable even from a distance.

The original distribution area of the Mediterranean cypress extended from Greece and the eastern Mediterranean region through Asia Minor to Iran. In Italy, the Mediterranean cypress was not originally native but was introduced in ancient times. The Romans spread the tree throughout southern France and Spain as their empire expanded.

The name “cypress” is often used here as a synonym for false cypresses (Chamaecyparis). Although they are related to the Mediterranean cypress, as are arborvitae (Thuja), they belong to different genera. Moreover, unlike the Mediterranean cypress, false cypresses are not native to Europe. Most species originate from North America, with some also coming from East Asia.

In the Mediterranean region, cypresses are also important forestry trees. Their relatively light, pale wood is easy to work with. It has a strong fragrance and is very durable due to its essential oils. Therefore, it is used not only for furniture making but also in outdoor applications.

Growth

Depending on location and climate, the Mediterranean cypress grows up to 20 to 30 meters tall. However, such large specimens are rare in Germany. Some of the tallest examples grow on the island of Mainau, reaching about 15 meters. In favorable climates, young cypresses grow very quickly and can reach up to six meters in height within ten years. Their slender columnar shape, with tightly upright branches, is retained throughout their life depending on the growth type. Even cypresses over 100 years old are rarely more than two meters wide. The light reddish-brown bark of the trunk has fine longitudinal grooves. The branches and older twigs are smooth and range in color from ochre yellow to reddish brown.

Leaves

Like all cypress family members, the Mediterranean cypress bears the typical scale-like leaves that lie closely against the thin branches. They are evergreen, arranged in opposite pairs, and completely cover the slender shoots. The individual leaves are grey-green, egg-shaped, and only a few millimeters long. They are usually shed in the third year, so only one- and two-year-old shoots carry foliage.

The Mediterranean cypress is monoecious like all conifers, meaning each plant produces both male and female inconspicuous flowers. The yellow-orange male flowers are about two millimeters long and cone-shaped, forming at the tips of the previous year’s shoots from late January to late February depending on the climate.

The female flowers are spherical greenish cones, just over two millimeters in diameter. They are located in the middle sections of the perennial shoots. Pollination occurs by wind.

Varieties

As a garden plant, the particularly narrow-growing cultivar ‘Stricta’ is of greatest importance. This selection, also known as ‘Pyramidalis’, rarely grows wider than 150 centimeters and can reach about 15 meters in height in mild regions—though only after decades.

(Source: mein-schoener-garten.de)