Callitris rhomboidea
oyster bay cypress-pine
Overview
Callitris rhomboidea is an evergreen coniferous tree reaching 25-50 feet (8-15 m) tall and 8-16 feet (2.5-5 m) wide, with a narrow, conical crown when young that broadens with age. The foliage is made up of tiny scale-like leaves pressed in whorls of three along slender, drooping green branchlets, giving a soft, feathery texture. It is monoecious, bearing separate small male and female cones on the same tree. Woody female cones are nearly spherical, 0.6-0.8 inch (1.5-2 cm) across, with six valves that open to release winged seeds, and the cones often persist on the branches for years. Growth is slow to moderate, and trees are long-lived. It grows on shallow, rocky, and sandy well-drained soils, tolerates drought once established, and resists moderate frost. It is sensitive to repeated fire, which kills the tree, with regeneration from seed.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southeastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania and South Australia. Grows on rocky outcrops, ridges, and sandy soils in open forest and woodland, often on sites too shallow or dry for larger trees, from near sea level to about 3,300 feet (1,000 m).Suggested Uses
Used as a screen, windbreak, and specimen conifer in native and low-water gardens, spaced 8-16 feet (2.5-5 m) apart. Suited to rocky, shallow, and dry sites where larger trees struggle. Grows in large containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L) when young, with free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height25' - 50'
Width/Spread8' - 16'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
As a conifer it does not flower. Pollen is shed from small male cones in winter and early spring, mainly June to September in its native range. Woody female cones develop over the following year and can stay closed on the tree for several years until heat or age opens them.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade on shallow, rocky, or sandy well-drained soil. Water young trees through the first summers; established trees tolerate drought and poor soils. It grows without supplementary feeding on most sites. Few pests affect it, though it is sensitive to root rot in wet ground. Repeated or intense fire kills the tree, and stands regenerate from seed. Trees are long-lived and slow to reach full size.Pruning
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter to maintain form. The tree holds a naturally conical shape and needs little pruning. Cutting into old bare wood reshoots poorly, so trimming is kept to younger growth.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons