Arizona Cypress

Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica)

Blue Arizona Cypress, Rough-barked Arizona Cypress

Full sun, dry to moderately dry, well-drained soils required — does not tolerate wet feet; tolerates clay only when drainage is excellent; pH 6.0–8.0.

Landscape trees in Tennessee typically reach 20–25 feet over 15–20 years; can eventually exceed that in ideal conditions; silver-blue foliage; flowers inconspicuous; seed cones persist on branches for 2+ years.

Propagation: seed, no cold stratification required; cuttings moderately difficult.

Native region: Not native to Tennessee; native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico; used as a landscape conifer in the Mid-South.

Arizona cypress is planted in Middle Tennessee primarily as a fast-growing evergreen screen or windbreak, where it fills the role that Leyland cypress plays in moister climates — but with substantially better drought tolerance once established. The chief failure mode in Zone 7a is planting in poorly drained or heavy clay sites without adequate amendment; roots that sit in water during winter wet periods will decline quickly. Bagworms (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) are a serious annual threat across all conifers in Middle Tennessee — colonies left untreated through July can consume entire branch tips. Canker (Seiridium spp.) lesions appear as resinous, discolored bark patches and spread rapidly in stressed trees; no curative treatment is available, making proper siting and soil drainage the best prevention.