Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta', Italian Cypress
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Coniferous Trees

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'

Italian Cypress

Cupressaceae

Eastern Mediterranean — Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Iran

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height40–70 feet (12–21 m)
Width3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
Zone 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is a large, extremely narrow, columnar, evergreen coniferous tree in the family Cupressaceae, a cultivar of Mediterranean cypress with a fastigiate — strictly upright — branching habit. Sempervirens means 'always living/evergreen'; 'Stricta' means 'upright/erect.' Trees grow 40–70 feet (12–21 m) tall and only 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 m) wide — the pencil-like silhouette is the defining characteristic. Branches are held tightly upright against the central axis, not spreading. The foliage consists of tiny, overlapping, dark green scale-like leaves in rounded, rope-like branchlets. Small, globose to oblong cones 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) ripen in the second year. The straight species Cupressus sempervirens has a more broadly spreading form; 'Stricta' is the fastigiate selection that defines the Italian and Mediterranean garden aesthetic. Reliable only in USDA zones 7b–11 in the Pacific Northwest; temperatures below 5°F (-15°C) may cause significant damage. Foliage can develop spider mite damage in hot, dry conditions. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is a cultivar of Cupressus sempervirens, native to the eastern Mediterranean — Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran — where it occurs in rocky, dry, mountainous habitats. It has been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region for thousands of years.

Suggested Uses

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is planted as a vertical accent, avenue tree, or formal screen in Pacific Northwest gardens in protected, warm sites. The 3–6 foot (0.9–1.8 m) width suits tight spaces requiring strong vertical emphasis. Requires well-drained soil and a site with good winter protection in marginal zones. Commonly used in pairs flanking entrances and in Mediterranean-style gardens. Educational value: the defining conifer of Mediterranean garden design; fastigiate growth form; contrast with the spreading straight species.

How to Identify

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is identified by its EXTREMELY NARROW COLUMNAR TO FASTIGIATE SILHOUETTE — branches strictly upright, forming a pencil or column 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 m) wide regardless of height. 'Stricta' = 'upright/erect.' Tiny dark green overlapping scale-like leaves on rounded rope-like branchlets. Globose to oblong cones 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm). The near-vertical branching angle distinguishes it from all other commonly cultivated columnar conifers. Distinguished from Cupressus sempervirens 'Swane's Gold' by dark green (not golden) foliage.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' produces inconspicuous male and female cones. Male cones shed pollen in late winter to early spring (February–March). Female cones are globose to oblong, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm), ripening brown in the second year and persisting on the tree.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

inconspicuous; globose brown cones 1–1.5 inches

Foliage Description

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

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandchalkrocky
Drainage
well 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

Plant Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' in full sun in well-drained to dry, neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Drought-tolerant once established — requires minimal irrigation after the second growing season in Pacific Northwest conditions. Does not tolerate waterlogged soils; root rot develops in poorly drained sites. Reliable in USDA zones 7b and warmer; temperatures below 5°F (-15°C) may cause significant damage. Spider mites can cause bronzing of foliage in hot, dry summers. No fertilizer needed in adequate soils.

Pruning

No pruning is required to maintain the columnar form — the fastigiate habit is self-sustaining. Remove dead branches in late spring. Do not shear.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic