1 / 2
Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'
Italian Cypress
Eastern Mediterranean — Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, IranLearn more
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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
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
Foliage Description
dark green, tiny overlapping scale-like leaves on rope-like branchletsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
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
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring