General Description | Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’ is a fast-growing coniferous evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae family. The 'Green Arrow' is one of the most cold-hardy plants in this family. This tree shares both an upright and weeping growing shape. This plant has a variety of common names, such as: Weeping Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Weeping Alaskan Cedar, Nootka Cypress, Alaska Cedar, and Nootka False cypress. This tree is more closely related to the cypress than cedars, regarding a recent genus change. |
ID Characteristic | The leaves have an unpleasant odour when crushed. A side branch will occasionally grow out from the trunk, but can be removed where it meets the main trunk. When mature, this specimen may form a wide skirt-like base. |
Shape | This evergreen is medium-sized. It has a distinctive tall and narrow growing habit, as well as a strong central leader. Despite the upright pyramidal form, the branches of this plant have a distinctive weeping manner in which the foliage drape in close proximity against the trunk. The spreading branches allow the foliage to shed snow in their native range. |
Landscape | This cultivar is best suitable for small traditional gardens. The narrow growing habit makes an excellent accent in a garden, especially in tight spaces. The foliage of this specimen does not change colour throughout the winter season, so it is a pleasure to look at year round. Can be suited to be planted beneath power lines, since this tree has a low hanging canopy with a clearance of 1 ft above the ground. Due to the tree’s intolerance to urban conditions, streetside plantings should be avoided. |
Propagation | Propagation can be achieved through the process of grafting, as well as by using semi-hardwood cuttings. |
Cultivation | This plant is generally low maintenance. It prefers full sun with partial shade. Tolerant of chalk-based soils, but likes slightly acidic to neutral soils. The soil should be moist and well-drained. The tree should be well-watered until it is fully established, unless the site already meets its needs, or unless there is a case of extreme drought. This plant should not be left to dry out. Intolerant of urban pollution. It is recommended to apply mulch around the root zone in the winter season with a layer of 2 - 3 inches. Although this tree can tolerate some pruning, as long as it is done properly, it is best to leave the plant be so that it can grow to its full size. If pruning is required, it is best to do so during the winter season. This Tree can live to be 70 years old or more if grown under ideal conditions. |
Pests | Resistant to most pests and diseases, however, this plant may experience damage from aphids, honey fungus, or even root diseases due to phytophthora. Regarding wildlife, this cultivar is deer resistant. |
Habitat | Due to the plant’s native habitat along the northwest region of North America, this plant typically grows along coastal environments with consistent moist soils, not swampy. When grown in the wild, this tree can grow up to 30 m in height. Horticultural origin through seedling and selection. |
Bark/Stem Description | Shaggy red-coloured bark. |
Leaf Description | Leaves are 0.31 cm - 0.63 cm long, pointed, and scale-like, tips often are diverging, similarly to Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’. Leaf scales have a dark green bluish-greyish colour, and appear as triangular. Leaves do not bear white markings on the underside. Scale-like leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. |
Fruit Description | The cones are small (0.84 cm) and grow at the tips of the needles, primarily on mature trees. Colours are a deep green when immature, then ripens to a dark brown-purple during the second year. The seeds contain 6-12 seeds each. Cones are globuse and glaucous. Bloom time occurs from March to April. |
Colour Description | Dark green-blue foliage which remains the same all year round. Dark brown-purple cones. Red-coloured bark. |
Texture Description | The texture of this plant is fine. The foliage is soft as well as wispy. Foliage is lovely to look at all year long, texture does not change. |