Arizona Cypress

(Cupressus arizonica)

Color Photographs: © by Nearctica.com Inc.

Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica)

Identifying Characters: The species is generally identified by its geographical distribution. It is the only cypress found outside of California and Baja California.

Similar Species: Arizona Cypress may be found with Tecate Cypress in Southern California and northern Baja California. The leaves of Arizona Cypress are sharply pointed, the points projecting outward giving the foliage a bristly appearance and feel. In contrast the needles of Tecate Cypress and rounded at the tips and more closely appressed to the branchlets.

Measurements: A conical tree ranging in height from 40 to 80 feet; diameter 1 to 2 feet at breast height.

Cones: Cones 0.75 to 1.25 inches in diameter; color dark red-brown, but usually covered with a gray bloom; 6 to 8 hard scales with short points.

Leaves: Leaves opposite in 4 rows; leaves about 1/16 inches long; color gray-green; scale-like leaves with a keel and usually (but not always) with a glandular dot exuding a white resin.

Bark: Bark variable in color from gray to dark brown to dark brown; bark rough, usually thin and peeling off in irregular plates.

Native Range: Arizona Cypress is a rare and local species whose range is not precisely known. The distribution map below comes from the U.S. Geological Survey. The species is also stated to be found in southern New Mexico and Southern California by various authors.

Habitat: The species is found in coniferous woodlands on coarse and very rocky soils. It may occur in pure stands or mixed with pinyons and junipers.