1 / 13

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'

Italian cypress

Cupressaceae

Eastern Mediterranean and western Asia

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is a narrow columnar evergreen conifer reaching 40-70 feet (12-21 m) tall but only 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) wide, far more upright than the broader wild form. The tiny dark green scale leaves overlap closely along rope-like branchlets that are held tight to the trunk, giving a dense pencil-like outline. Round, woody, gray-brown cones 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across ripen over two years and persist on the branches. The tree grows in full sun on well-drained soil and tolerates heat, drought, and poor stony ground once established, but it is damaged by wet, poorly drained soils and by heavy snow and ice, which can splay the columns open. In humid climates it can suffer cypress canker and spider mites. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, this cultivar is grown as a vertical accent, in formal avenues, and as a tall narrow screen.

Native Range

The species Cupressus sempervirens is native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia, including Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Iran, where it grows on dry rocky hillsides. The narrow 'Stricta' form has been cultivated around the Mediterranean for centuries.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a vertical accent in gardens, in formal pairs flanking entrances, in avenues, and as a slim screen where width is limited, spaced 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) apart. Its narrow form suits Mediterranean and gravel-garden styles.

How to Identify

Identified by its tall, slim, columnar outline, often many times taller than wide, with branchlets pressed close to the trunk. The foliage is dark green, scale-like, and aromatic when crushed, lacking the flat sprays of false cypress. Round woody cones 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across confirm the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

As a conifer, this cultivar does not flower. Small pollen cones release pollen in late winter and early spring. Round woody seed cones 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across take about two years to ripen from green to gray-brown and may hang on the tree for several more years.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dark green, tiny overlapping scale-like leaves on rope-like branchlets

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 8-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand chalk rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun in well-drained soil; sandy, stony, and chalky ground all suit it. Water young trees through the first seasons, after which the cypress tolerates heat and drought and needs little irrigation. Wet or poorly drained soil leads to root rot, and humid summers can bring cypress canker and spider mites. In snowy regions the columns can splay, and tying or wrapping holds the form. The tree accepts a soil pH of 6.0-8.0 and needs no feeding. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10.

Pruning

Prune lightly in spring to remove dead or wayward shoots and keep the narrow outline. It does not regrow from cuts into bare old wood, so trimming stays within green foliage. Tying in or removing splayed branches restores the column after storm damage.

Pruning Schedule

early spring