Tecate Cypress

(Cupressus forbesii)

Tecate Cypress (Cupressus forbesii)

Identifying Characters: Tecate Cypress is mostly easily identified by its Southern California - Baja California distribution, south of the range of most of the California species of Cupressus. The foliage is bright green and the scale-like leaves lack glandular dots.

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: Tecate Cypress is a small tree with an irregular, spreading crown. Mature individuals range from 20 to 30 feet in height and 1 to 1.5 feet in diameter.

Cones: Cones are 1 to 1.25 inches in diameter and dull brown or gray; cones with 6 to 10 round, hard cone scales, usually with a terminal spine.

Leaves: Leaves opposite in 4 rows; twigs slender and quadrate; leaves about 1/16 inches long; scale-like leaves bright green and usually without a glandular dot or whitish resin.

Bark: Bark red-brown, smooth, usually peeling in curls.

Native Range: Southwestern California from Orange and San Diego counties southward into northwestern Baja California.

Habitat: Tecate Cypress is found in the chaparral zone of the coastal mountains. The species is found in canyons and along rocky slopes.