23+ Types of Cypress Trees: Bald Cypress, Lemon Cypress, and More (Pictures)

The Cupressaceae family of coniferous trees includes cypresses. Evergreen leaves on true cypress trees are delicate, with cones that resemble giant acorns.

Evergreen and deciduous coniferous trees with the common name cypress are false cypress trees. The cypress genus Cupressus, on the other hand, does not contain them. The various forms of cypress trees are discussed in this article. Pictures of these conifer species can be used to differentiate between different cypress types, in addition to descriptions.

False Cypress Vs. True Cypress

Cupressus is a genus of coniferous plants that includes true cypress trees. The Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) is a large Northern Hemisphere Cypress tree that grows in the wild. False cypress trees belong to the Cupressus genus and are conifers that do not have the false name cypress. False cypresses include the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens).

Other false cypress types include the Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) and Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). The many characteristics of numerous trees with the same moniker cypress will be examined in this essay. Cupressus, Chamaecyparis, and Taxodium are some of the conifers found there.

Cypress Trees in Florida

The pond cypress and bald cypress are Florida’s native cypresstypes, found in damp swamps. Deciduous conifers that grow in marshy environments are the native Florida cypress trees. In the everglades, you can often spot Florida cypress trees with their massive swollen root bases surrounded by water.

Planting a Cypress Tree

In a front or backyard, plant low-maintenance privacy hedge, evergreen screen, or specimen trees of little or dwarf cypress trees like dwarf Hinoki cypress and dwarf lemon cypress. Full sun to partial shade and loamy, well-draining soil are the best conditions for growing cypress trees.

Water the tree on a weekly basis during the summer. These drought-tolerant coniferous plants require minimal trimming and are rather easy to care for. Other kinds of cypress trees, which are too huge for most home yards, are utilized in parks or large yards.

Types of Cypress Trees (With Pictures)

Now, let’s take a closer look at the most common cypress trees that may be used in your yard landscaping. For foundation planting, corner plants, or natural privacy screens, you can also find the best low-growing cypress trees and shrubs. The various types of cypress trees are shown below.

Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa)

Monterey cypress trees, which are found in California, are medium-sized conifers. The flat top of the cypress stands out to the side and spreads out. Up to 130 feet (40 meters) tall, the Californian cypress trees are impressive. In Europe, New Zealand, and several African nations, native cypress trees may be found.

When crushed, the leaves of Monterey cypress trees release a lemony odor. They are delicate and scale-like. As the tree grows, the Monterey cypress trees’ bark becomes rough and fibrous, with grayish streaks that begin to peel. Monterey cypress conifer cones average 1.5″ (4 cm) in length and are oblong in shape.

• Growing zones: 7 to 11
• Location: Full sun to partial shade
• Size: 40 – 70 ft. (12 – 21 m) but can grow up to 130 ft. (40 m)

Lemon Cypress Trees (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’)

Lemon cypress trees, known as Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest,’ are popular garden landscape trees. The bright, golden yellow soft leaves of these cypress trees maintain their color throughout the winter. As the tree ages, its bark becomes scaly and flakes. Little and spherical cones are what you’ll find.

Fast-growing lemon cypress trees are tall, narrow columnar trees with upward-growing branches. Monterey cypress trees have a cultivar called lemon cypress. The branches of lemon cypress have an irregular growth habit, similar to that of tree species.

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’ grows at around 10″ (25 cm) per year, making it a fast grower. In ten years, the lemon cypress grows to be 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters). In less than 20 years, it reaches a maximum height of 32–40 feet (10–12 meters).

The lemon cypress tree is a popular choice because it requires little upkeep. Without pruning, the soft conifer maintains its columnar form. Pruning the tree for height management is the only reason to do it.

The fragrant foliage of lemon cypress gives it the popular name. Lemon cypress leaves have a pungent lemony fragrance when crushed. As a privacy screen, natural hedge, or corner planting, plant lemon cypress trees. The graceful cypress tree is ideal for Mediterranean or coastal gardens and may also be used as a specimen tree.

• Growing zones: 7 to 11
• Location: Full sun
• Size: 35 – 40 ft. (10.5 – 12 m)

How to Care for Lemon Cypress Outdoors

In a front or backyard, lemon cypress trees are simple to establish. In a sunny area in well-drained soil, you should plant your outdoor cypress. These trees are drought-tolerant because they require little upkeep. You should water it twice a week until the lemon cypress is established.

How to Care for Lemon Cypress Indoors

Indoor container growing of lemon cypress trees is a success. Whenever the soil is mostly dry, it’s important to plant the tree in a light, well-draining potting mix. When cultivating lemon cypress trees indoors, there are two essential care needs. They must first receive at least six hours of sunlight every day. Second, in winter, when the temperature is around 60°F (15°C), they thrive best.

Dwarf Lemon Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest Wilma’)

The dwarf ‘Goldcrest Wilma’ cultivar is ideal if you want a small cypress tree. This small tree, which keeps its bright yellow leaves throughout the year, grows just 3 feet (1 m) tall. When the top layer of soil dries out, move the potted cypress to a bright indoor area protected from direct sunlight and water.

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

The leaves and cones of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) tree The name ‘bald cypresses,’ or deciduous conifer trees that lose their leaves in the winter, refers to these huge trees. They grow best in damp soils but may also tolerate dry soil. Between 50 and 70 feet (15 to 21 meters) tall, bald cypress trees grow.

Upright growth and a triangular form characterize Florida’s bald cypress trees. In a vast residential garden with damp, sandy soil, you may place the big trees. Trees that prefer damp soils or are near water are ideally suited to growing. The roots that encircle the tree (“knees”) are a common feature of bald cypress trees.

The roots of these strange formations are found in the tree. Roots may reach a height of 6 feet (2 meters). Bald cypress trees are not often seen in gardens because of their propensity to root tripage when being walked.

• Growing zones: 4 to 9
• Location: Full sun
• Size: 50 – 70 ft. (15 – 21 m)

Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens)

The other cypress species in Florida is Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens), which has foliage. Pond cypress trees are narrow, columnar trees that reach heights of 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters) tall. Sprays of delicate green leaves that turn orange or golden-brown in the autumn are one of pond cypress’s distinguishing traits. The tree’s trunk has a distinct swollen base when growing in water or marshes.

In comparison to bald cypress trees, pond cypress trees are more suitable for home gardens. These false cypress trees have a small growth and seldom develop “knees,” so all you need to do is trim the dead branches. The trees are surprisingly drought-tolerant, despite the fact that they grow in standing water, hence the name pond cypress.

• Growing zones: 5 to 9
• Location: Full sun to partial shade
• Size: 50 – 60 ft. (15 – 18 m)

Mediterranean Cypress or Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Mediterranean cypress trees, leaves, and cones (Cupressus sempervirens) are long, thin conifers with feathery sprays of soft evergreen. These European cypress trees have scale-like green leaves that develop on rounded branches. Brown, ovoid balls up to 1.5″ (4 cm) in diameter make up the seed cones.

Mediterranean cypress trees reach a height of about three meters when fully developed, with branches that narrow to a tip. To add vertical height to garden landscapes, Italian cypress trees are an excellent choice for planting as specimen plants. In well-draining soil, where they get plenty of sunlight, drought-tolerant columnar trees need to be planted.

• Growing zones: 7 to 9
• Location: Full sun
• Size: 40 – 70 ft. (12 – 21 m)

Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

The left image shows Hinoki cypress trees, while the right image shows a cultivar called Nana Gracilis. The leaves of these cypress trees hang down at the ends, and they are dark green. As the tree ages, the bark on mature hinoki trees starts to peel. In most cases, the species tree Chamaecyparis obtusa is out of reach for home gardens.

Ideal for garden landscapes are many dwarf or miniature hinoki cypress trees. The cultivar ‘Nana Gracilis, for example, grows to be between 3 and 6 feet (1 and 2 meters) tall. The glossy dark green foliage and wide conical growth of the false cypress make it a popular choice. Dwarf hinoki cypresses may be used as hedges, container plants, foundation plants, and specimen plants.

• Growing zones: 4 to 8
• Location: Full sun
• Size: 50 – 75 ft. (15 – 22 m)

Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica)

Arizona cypress var. Arizona cypress The triangular shape of glabra Fastigiata Arizona cypress trees makes them ideal for Christmas trees. The Cupressus arizonica has dense foliage with dull green or blue-green feathery scale-like leaves. Little, oblong cones adorn Arizona cypress trees. The fast-growing evergreen grows at a rate of 12 inches (30 cm) each year.

• Growing zones: 6 to 9
• Location: Full sun
• Size: 40 – 70 ft. (12 – 21 m)

Leyland Cypress Tree (Cupressus x leylandii)

Leyland cypress trees have wide foliage and columnar development that resembles a pyramid in shape. Leyland cypress can grow up to 36 inches (90 cm) per year and has a quick growth rate. Leyland cypress trees are excellent choices for privacy screens and evergreen hedges because of their characteristics.

To create a natural, living hedge, plant Leyland cypress trees in full sun side by side. Between 6 feet and 8 feet, you can create a natural, evergreen barrier. To provide privacy to a backyard, they can be up to 22 feet (2–7 meters) high. The Nootka cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis) and Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) are two separate species that have been hybridized.

• Growing zones: 6 to 10
• Location: Full sun
• Size: The tree can grow up to 70 feet (21 meters) tall without pruning, however it must be trimmed to a height of 6 feet (2 meters).

Nootka Cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis)

North American natives are the “Pendula” Nootka cypress. Flat, dark-green sprays with scale-like leaves characterize the evergreen cypress trees. The weeping growth and drooping branches of Nootka cypresses are an identifying feature. The Nootka cypress grows to be 103 feet (40 meters) tall.

It’s preferable to plant a dwarf Nootka cypress cultivar because the tall trees are too big for many backyards. Yellow cedar, Alaska cedar, yellow cypress, and Nootka cedar are some of the other names for Nootka cypress trees.

Examples of impressive Nootka cypress cultivars:

• ‘Pendula’ Nootka cypress. Evergreen leaves dangle from the weeping cypress tree’s branches. Full sun or half shade is ideal for fast-growing cypress. The cypress tree may reach a height of 20 to 35 feet (6 to 10.5 meters).
• ‘Green Arrow’ Nootka cypress. With thin, columnar development, a majestic weeping cypress. The weeping branches hang almost straight from the tree trunk. In zones 4 to 8 and full to partial sun, plant the cypress. The cypress trees known as the ‘Green Arrow’ grow to a height of between 18 and 35 feet (5 and 11 meters).
• ‘Glauca’ Nootka cypress. Glauca, a lovely Nootka cypress plant, has thick blue-green evergreen leaves. Every year, the fast-growing tree generates 1 foot (30 cm). In full sun, this easy-care cypress grows to a height of 25 feet (7 meters).

Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

The Lawson cypress, also known as Port Orford cedars, is a tall evergreen tree with foliage and cones. Flat, feathery sprays of green or blue-green leaves and scale-like cypress leaves give the foliage a scale appearance.

The cypress species tree may grow to be up to 200 feet (60 meters) tall, which is likely too much for most homes. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a smaller dwarf or miniature coniferous shrub if you want to plant a Lawson cypress in your garden.

Several dwarf Lawson cypress cultivars are shown below:

• ‘Ellwoodii’ Lawson cypress. Soft, feathery silvery-blue leaves cover this columnar cypress shrub. As a privacy hedge or specimen tree, this cypress hedge plant is best. In zones 5 to 8, full sun and loamy soil, Lawson cypress trees thrive. Ellwoodii cypress trees can grow to be up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall.
• ‘Silver Thread’ Lawson cypress. The narrow growth habit and triangular shape of this dwarf false cypress tree make it look like a tree. The small cypress, which grows to be about 3 to 5 feet (1.5 to 1.5 meters) tall, is ideal for tiny gardens. To enjoy its bright green leaves all year, plant it in full sun in well-draining soil.
• ‘Minima Glauca’ Lawson cypress. As a foundation plant, low-growing hedge, boundary plant, or specimen plant, this little cypress shrub is ideal. The false cypress tree has densely-growing leaves and bluish-green foliage. It has a rounded growth habit. The height of this little cypress will never exceed 3 feet (1 meter).

Chinese Weeping Cypress (Cupressus funebris)

Chinese weeping cypress trees have light green foliage and are medium-sized conifers. Due to pendulous branches that hang off the tree, this conifer tree is also known as the weeping cypress. The Chinese weeping cypress is a very decorative evergreen tree with a fast growing habit. In public parks and large gardens, weeping cypress is often planted.

• Growing zones: 7 to 10
• Location: Full sun to partial shade
• Size: 20 – 35 ft. (6 – 10 m)

Bhutan cypress (Cupressus cashmeriana)