- General characteristics
- Appearance
- Leaves
- Cones
- Taxonomy
- Etymology
- Synonymy
- Habitat and distribution
- Culture
- Seeds
- Cuttings
- Graft
- Care
- Diseases
- Seiridium cardinale
- Hidden Phomopsis
- Armillaria mellea
- References
Cupressus macrocarpa is a species of evergreen conifer that belongs to the Cupressaceae family. Known as cypress, California cypress or Monterey cypress, it is an endemic species of southwestern North America.
It is a large tree with a broad buttress, fissured bark and abundant upward ramifications that give it a pyramidal crown. The leaves are thick, triangular, scaly and smooth in texture, the small globular strobili reddish and greyish when mature.
Cupressus macrocarpa. Source: vera46 / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
It adapts to various climates, especially temperate environments, requires well-drained soils, withstands salinity and is very resistant to strong winds. Its natural habitat is restricted to a narrow coastal strip of Monterey County in California, where rocky slopes and cliffs predominate.
It is a highly prized species in gardening to mold hedges due to its great adaptability, striking yellowish-green foliage and pleasant citrus aroma. Its wood, although little known, is of very good quality for cabinetmaking. In addition, its leaves contain flavonoids that give it antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic properties.
General characteristics
Appearance
A tall conifer with a pyramidal crown when young, although broad and domed during maturity, it reaches a height of 25-30 m. The thick trunk has a dilated base and a reddish-brown cracked bark, divided at a certain height and with abundant lateral ramifications.
Leaves
The thick scamiform leaves are formed by small scales 1-2 mm long, yellowish-green in color and with an obtuse apex. They are arranged in an opposite way, close together and overlapping along the terminal branches. They have a pleasant citrus aroma.
Cones
Leaves of Cupressus macrocarpa. Source: Krzysztof Golik / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Male and female cones develop separately on the same foot. Females 4-5 cm in diameter, rounded, tender, green and purple when ripe. The male ones have peltate scales, 5-8 mm in diameter, spherical and yellow.
Biennially maturing strobili can be kept closed on the tree for several years. Upon completion of their development, the scales open and disperse the many winged seeds that contain small resin vesicles on the surface.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Pinophyta
- Class: Pinopsida
- Order: Pinales
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Genus: Cupressus
- Species: Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw. ex Gord.
Etymology
- Cupressus: the name of the genus comes from the Latin «Cyprus», which means «Cyprus». Due to the large number of cypress trees that grow in that region.
- macrocarpa: the specific adjective derives from the Latin «macrocarpus-a-um» which means the «of large fruit».
Synonymy
- Cupressus hartwegii Carrière
- Cupressus lambertiana hort. ex Carrière
- Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (Hartw.) Bartel
- Cupressus macrocarpa var. lambertiana (Carrière) Mast.
- Cupressus macrocarpa var. goldcrest or lemon cedar
- Callitropsis macrocarpa (Hartw.) DP Little
- Cupressus hartwegii Carrière
- Neocupressus macrocarpa (Hartw.) From Laub.
- Cupressus reinwardtii Beissn.
Cupressus macrocarpa cones. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Habitat and distribution
The Cupressus macrocarpa species is native to Monterey Bay off the coast of California in the southwestern US It is currently cultivated for ornamental and silvicultural purposes in a variety of temperate environments around the world.
It is a conifer that adapts to various types of soil, tolerates occasional frosts, water deficit and littoral conditions. It is located on intervened land, in rural or urban areas, on the banks of streams and on the edge of roads, in isolation or forming small settlements.
Culture
The Monterey cypress is multiplied by seeds, cuttings or grafts.
Seeds
The seeds obtained from mature and fertile cones require a pre-germination process that consists of soaking in a 0.1% citric acid solution for 1-3 days. Later they are subjected to a cold stratification process at 2-4 ºC for 15 days to favor their germination.
The seeds are then placed on germination trays with a universal substrate under greenhouse conditions. After 30-60 days the germination process begins, as long as the humidity and temperature levels are kept constant at 20ºC.
The transplant is carried out in pots to protect the seedlings during the first winter, in a warm and well ventilated environment. At 2-3 years it can be transplanted in its final place, during spring in warm climates and in summer in temperate climates.
Trunk of Cupressus macrocarpa. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Cuttings
Cuttings obtained from semi-woody branches root relatively easily if kept under warm conditions and high humidity. In the case of Monterrey cypress, it is advisable to apply a solution of indole butyric acid (IBA) to promote the rooting process.
Graft
To start the graft, a vigorous well-rooted rootstock is required, preferably from plants obtained from seeds. The tines are selected from the cultivars to be multiplied, the grafts thus obtained must be kept in humid rooms until the tissues are effectively coupled.
Care
- The Monterrey cypress is a very resistant tree that adapts to various types of climate and requires basic care.
- It is a very long-lived plant, which can live for more than 300 years. From the age of 40, it remains at an average height of 30-40 m, but can reach 50 m, depending on environmental conditions.
- It requires a temperate climate where the temperature ranges are short. It does not tolerate intense cold or hot climates.
- Grows on sandy loam soils, fertile and well drained.
- It develops in high areas or coastal regions, in half shade or full sun exposure. Its color and aroma increase with direct sunlight.
- It is recommended to fertilize frequently with acidifying or nitrogen-rich fertilizers.
- It can be grown in pots as long as frequent pruning is carried out and it is removed at the apex at a certain height.
Cupressus macrocarpa in its natural environment. Source: jimg944 on Flickr / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Diseases
The Monterey Cypress is a species that under adverse conditions can be affected by fungal diseases such as canker, phomopsis and root rot.
Seiridium cardinale
Causal agent of cypress cancer or canker. The disease is transmitted by bark-boring insects or birds that spread the spores. Symptoms appear as wet and necrotic spots on the stems, causing rotting of the tissues.
Hidden Phomopsis
Phytopathogenic fungus that causes the wilting and subsequent drying of the tender branches, affecting the outer part of the foliage. The highest incidence of the disease occurs in cool and humid environments.
Armillaria mellea
Heavy, poorly drained soils with excess moisture are the ideal conditions for the appearance of this pathogenic fungus. The mycelium develops easily and expands on the roots of the cypress, invades its tissues and causes its putrefaction.
References
- Cabrera Rodríguez, J., Martínez Marín, F. & Granada Carreto, L. (2007). Production of lemon cedar Cupressus macrocarpa goldcrest in Morelos. Technical Brochure No. 29. Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food. National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research. South Pacific Regional Research Center "Zacatepec" Experimental Field. Zacatepec, Morelos, Mexico.
- Cupressus macrocarpa. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
- Cupressus macrocarpa (2018) Tree App. Recovered at: arbolappcanarias.es
- Merino Jiménez, PM (2015) Evaluation of an asexual propagation technique with apical cuttings of the lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) Var. Gold Crest. (Degree Thesis) Technical University of Ambato. Faculty of agricultural sciences. Ecuador.
- Sánchez de Lozada-Cáceres, JM (2004) Cupressus macrocarpa. Recovered in: arbolesornamentales.es
- Sarmiento, L. (2018) The Lemon Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). Gardening On. Recovered in: jardineriaon.com