Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica)
| Needle retention | Needs regular water like all cypresses |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | Pleasing; described as citrusy or minty by some, less pleasant by others |
| Needles | Tiny scale-like leaves in soft sprays |
| Ornaments | Upright branches suited to lighter decorating |
| Color | Pale gray-green; cultivars silvery or whitish-blue |
| Grown in | A Southwest native farmed across the South: Louisiana to the Carolinas and the Florida panhandle |
| USDA zones | 7-11 (for planting a living tree; find your zone by ZIP) |
Worth knowing
- Popular cultivars: 'Carolina Sapphire' (Clemson, 1968), 'Blue Ice', 'Blue Pyramid', 'Silver Smoke'.
Care notes
Whatever the species: make a fresh half-inch cut off the trunk before it goes in the stand, use a stand that holds a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, top it up daily, and keep the tree away from heat. Details in the care guide.
Sources: NC State Extension: Selection and Care of Christmas Trees · National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Varieties · NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox