Callitris gracilis
slender cypress-pine
Overview
Callitris gracilis is an evergreen coniferous tree reaching 8-20 m (26-66 ft) tall with a slender, often conical to columnar crown and a trunk clothed in furrowed grey-brown bark. The foliage consists of minute scale leaves pressed against slender green branchlets arranged in whorls of three, giving a finely textured, cypress-like appearance. It is monoecious, bearing small pollen cones at branchlet tips and woody seed cones 1.5-2.5 cm (0.6-1 in) wide made of six valves that open to release winged seeds; the cones persist on the branches for years. Growth is slow to moderate, and trees are long-lived. The species grows on sandy and loamy soils in semi-arid woodland and tolerates extended drought and poor soils, but is sensitive to fire, which kills the thin-barked trees rather than prompting resprouting. Regeneration relies on seedlings establishing in wetter years.
Native Range
Native to southern Australia, across South Australia, western Victoria, southern New South Wales, and into Western Australia, in semi-arid woodland and mallee on sandy and loamy soils on plains and dunes.Suggested Uses
Grown as a screen, windbreak, and specimen in dryland and low-water gardens, spaced 3-6 m (10-20 ft) apart. The durable, termite-resistant timber is used for posts, poles, and construction. The dense habit gives shelter and nesting sites for birds in open landscapes.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height26' - 66'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 40 years
Bloom Information
As a conifer it does not flower; pollen is shed from small male cones, mainly in late winter and spring. Wind carries the pollen to the female cones, which take 1-2 years to mature and persist for several years after opening.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight