Hesperocyparis arizonica, Arizona Cypress
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Coniferous Trees

Hesperocyparis arizonica

Arizona Cypress

Cupressaceae

Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, northern Mexico

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height40–70 feet (12–21 m)
Width15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 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
Fragrant (light)
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Hesperocyparis arizonica (formerly Cupressus arizonica) is a medium to large, evergreen coniferous tree in the family Cupressaceae, native to mountain canyons and slopes of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus name Hesperocyparis means 'western cypress' (Greek: hesperos = western); arizonica means 'of Arizona.' Trees grow 40–70 feet (12–21 m) tall and 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) wide, developing a broadly pyramidal to somewhat irregular crown. The foliage consists of tiny, overlapping, blue-gray to silvery-blue scale-like leaves with a distinctive whitish waxy bloom — the blue color results from glaucous wax coating the foliage. The BARK IS DISTINCTIVE: rough, stringy, reddish-brown to gray-brown, peeling in thin elongated plates or strips, becoming deeply furrowed on old trunks. Small, globose cones 0.75–1.25 inches (2–3 cm) with 6–8 scales bearing prominent hooked or pointed bosses, ripening brown in the second year and persisting on the tree for several years. More cold-hardy and drought-tolerant than Mediterranean cypresses. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Hesperocyparis arizonica is native to mountain canyons, rocky slopes, and dry creek beds in Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, and northern Mexico at 3,500–8,000 feet (1,070–2,440 m) elevation. It occurs in chaparral, pinyon-juniper woodland, and open ponderosa pine forest habitats.

Suggested Uses

Hesperocyparis arizonica is planted as a specimen, screen, or windbreak in dry Pacific Northwest sites, particularly east of the Cascades, where drought tolerance and blue foliage color are priorities. Suited to xeric, low-water-use landscapes. The 40–70 foot (12–21 m) mature height requires adequate space. Educational value: contrast between western North American Hesperocyparis and Mediterranean Cupressus; glaucous wax coating as a drought-adaptation mechanism; the distinctive rough plated bark character.

How to Identify

Hesperocyparis arizonica is identified as a broadly pyramidal evergreen conifer by BLUE-GRAY TO SILVERY-BLUE FOLIAGE with a glaucous waxy bloom — tiny overlapping scale-like leaves. Arizonica = 'of Arizona.' PRIMARY BARK CHARACTER: ROUGH, STRINGY, REDDISH-BROWN TO GRAY-BROWN BARK peeling in thin elongated plates — this rough, checkered bark distinguishes it from the smooth, cherry-like bark of other Hesperocyparis species. Globose cones 0.75–1.25 inches (2–3 cm) with PROMINENT HOOKED OR POINTED BOSSES on each scale. Foliage emits a resinous fragrance when crushed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

blue green
silver

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Hesperocyparis arizonica produces inconspicuous male and female cones. Male cones shed pollen in late winter to early spring (February–March). Female cones are globose, 0.75–1.25 inches (2–3 cm), ripening brown in the second year and persisting on branches for several years.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

inconspicuous; globose brown cones 0.75–1.25 inches

Foliage Description

blue-gray to silvery-blue with glaucous waxy bloom; tiny overlapping scale-like leaves

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

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant Hesperocyparis arizonica in full sun in well-drained to dry, neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established — requires minimal irrigation after the second growing season. Does not tolerate waterlogged or poorly drained soils; root rot develops rapidly in wet conditions. Tolerates poor, rocky, and alkaline soils. More cold-hardy than Mediterranean cypress — reliable to about -10°F (-23°C), USDA zone 7. Performs well on the drier east side of the Cascades and in hot, dry Pacific Northwest microclimates; may develop foliage problems in wet, poorly drained maritime sites.

Pruning

No pruning is required to maintain the pyramidal form. Remove dead branches in late spring. Lower branches may be removed to expose the ornamental bark. Do not shear.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic