World Plants

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Lawson Falsecypress)

Michael's Opinion

Dominant specimen in nature with its size, has a soft look to it with small fruit that is closely scattered. There are a large number of cultivars that are extremely popular in the residential landscape. These cultivars offer a variety of shape, colour and size. Brown bark adds to the visual appeal of the tree. For best results grow in full sun. Moist areas will produce faster growth than dry soils; however, it is drought tolerant.

Botanical Information

Family	Cupressaceae
Genus	Chamaecyparis
Species	lawsoniana
Category	Woody
Type	Tree (evergreen)

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	5b - 7a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	4b - 6b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H6 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-32 - (-18)
Temperature (°F)	-25 - 10
Height	30 - 70 m
Spread	5 - 10 m
Growth	Medium
Flowering Period	May

Description and Growing Information

General Description	Large pyramidal tree, very dense, nearly vertical branching system that fattens out with the foliage. Small blue fruit that turns reddish brown in the autumn. The fruit does not hold much interest in the autumn.
ID Characteristic	Flattened bluish green foliage growing almost vertically upward, very dense yet soft looking tree. Foliage is accented by the rough reddish-brown bark.
Shape	Conical or columnar, branches grow nearly straight upwards. Very large dense tree.
Propagation	Germination by seed is low due to poor viability; the seed is thin and weak. This tree can be propagated by cuttings taken in the autumn. Cuttings taken in October that are placed in a sand peat moss mix root very easily.
Cultivation	Prefers well drained moist soil; full sun or partial shade; protection from cold winds; and lower night temperatures. If transplanted it is best balled and burlapped. Neutral to acidic soils are preferred. It will grow thin with poor colour in densely shaded areas.
Pests	Relatively pest and disease free, but a fungus called Phytophthora lateralis is rapidly killing these trees in the mountainous regions of Oregon and Northwest California. This fungus rots the roots and can completely kill these trees.
Notable Specimens	Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon. 73 m high and 12 m wide, National Champion.
Habitat	Grows in a wide variety of soil types, usually with lots of other species growing with it.
Bark/Stem Description	Bark is reddish brown and is very rough. It can be up to 25 cm thick on older trees in the wild. Ridges run vertically up and down the tree and can be up to 10 cm deep on a big tree.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	Small brown buds 2-4 mm in size slightly conical. Chamaecyparis will not bud on old wood.
Leaf Description	Leaves are scale like and are very tight together approximately 1 cm in length, almost flat. Glossy green in colour, and dense. From a distance the foliage has a soft look to it and can be very attractive.
Flower Description	There is a male and female flower that grow on the same branch, but different branchlets. Male flower is small round nearly perfect shape and is brown in colour. The female flower is bigger and resembles the shape of popcorn when it is fully opened.
Fruit Description	Small ovoid cone growing at the end of leaflets generally scattered. Each cone holds 3-4 seeds that are a disc shaped, this allows the seed to fall far from the tree.
Colour Description	Branching is red along with the bark on the trunk of the tree. Leaves are green and can turn brown in harsh winter weather or extreme cold. Fruit is brown.
Texture Description	The foliage on this tree has a soft texture, but is accented by the rough red bark.