Photo of Cupressus macnabiana close-up, foliage by Themodoccypress

Photo by Themodoccypress

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Buy Cupressus macnabiana

Also Known As

  • Shasta Cypress

Plant type

tree, conifer

size

  • H: 20'-40'
  • W: 10'-30'

planting zones

  • 6b-9b

2 inch wide, 4-6 inch deep tube | $29.95

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61 at Forestfarm

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Cupressus macnabiana plant details

Cupressus macnabiana is an evergreen conifer tree with blue and green foliage. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cupressus macnabiana

Plant type: conifer tree
Plant family: cupressaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 10 FT - 30 FT - wide, 20 FT - 40 FT - tall
Uses: distinctive bark, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cupressus macnabiana

USDA Zones: 6b - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer, heat, verticillium wilt and wind
Soil needs: acidic, average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Native to the foothills of the Sierra Cascades, this handsome, very drought tolerant, often multi-trunked tree can reach 25 ft but often stays smaller. Silver-green foliage, usual in a cypress, and bark that appears reddish. Great for screening/informal hedge where your hose won't reach. Lean, well-drained soil in sun is best with heat and very little summer water. Frost hardy to -5F, mid USDA zone 6.
This picturesque evergreen shrub/tree is native to the chaparral and oak or conifer woodlands of northern California in the Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada (with two remote stands in SW Oregon). Slowly growing to become a variable 10-40', wide-spreading specimen. This species is quite rare in cultivation; its flattened sprays of gray-green foliage are unique among Cypress and they possess a strong spicy scent when crushed. This makes a wonderful choice for the native garden or conifer collector. S/M-D/GDr

Gardening facts about Cupressus macnabiana plant

How to Grow Cupressus macnabiana

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • adaptable
    • average
    • lean
    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • wind tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Wildlife

    • birds
    • deer resistant
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen

See other plant types of Cupressus for your garden

aka Cupressus 'Greenstead Magnificent', Dwarf Monterey Cypress, Monterey Cypress 'Greenstead Magnificent'

Plant Type

Shrub, Conifer, Groundcover

Zones

7a-9b

Size

Height: 6"-36"

Width: 24"-120"

  • sun - mostly sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Cupressus macrocarpa 'Greenstead Magnificent' foliage by Evan Bean
View Plant

aka Cupressus macrocarpa 'Citriodora', Cupressus macrocarpa 'Golden Crest', Citriodora Golden Monterey Cypress, Citriodora Monterey Cypress, Lemon Cypress

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 15'-30'

Width: 6'-15'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • low
  • dry in summer
Photo of Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest' foliage, form by Kenpei
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aka Cupressus guadalupensis var. forbesii, Hesperocyparis forbesii, CYPRESS, Forbes' Cypress, Tecate Cypress

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

7a-11

Size

Height: 12'-35'

Width: 6'-25'

  • sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in summer
Photo of Cupressus forbesii form by Stan Shebs
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aka Callitropsis macrocarpa, Cupressus hartwegii, Cupressus lambertiana, Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, Neocupressus macrocarpa, Monterey Cypress

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

7a-9b

Size

Height: 60'-80'

Width: 15'-40'

  • sun
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • dry in summer
Photo of Cupressus macrocarpa form, trunk by Far Out Flora
View Plant

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aka Bhutan Cypress

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 20'-30'

Width: 10'-15'

  • sun
  • regular - low
Photo of Cupressus himalaica foliage by Cistus Nursery
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+104 more Cupressus
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