Italian Cypress

Introduction

With a narrow columnar habit of growth, this evergreen forms tall, dark green columns 40 + feet in height but are often much shorter. Trees are normally no more than three feet wide. Leaves have a fine texture. Planted three feet apart, they make a dense screen. Italian Cypress is often used for framing, as a strong accent around large buildings, or in the formal landscape but does not lend itself well to many residential landscapes. It grows too tall, looking like a green telephone pole.

Use and Management

Growing in full sun on various well-drained soils, Italian Cypress should be planted in a well-prepared site and watered periodically until well established. It should not be pruned. It is very susceptible to mites and bagworms.

Italian Cypress trees give height to foundation plantings without taking up a lot of room. Use them to frame entryways, cover vertical drainpipes, soften corners and vertical edges and even as elegant property dividers. They can be planted in pots to frame a front entryway or add elegance to a patio or pool.

Planting

• Typically planted in 10, 15, 30, 45 or 65 gal containers
• B&B trees are specified in height (6’ – 8’ ht, etc) or caliper (3” cal., etc)
• Container trees can be double the price of B&B trees
• Plant container trees in late summer, if price allows
• Plant B&B trees if they were dug and cured in the winter months