Woody > Fitzroya > Fitzroya cupressoides > Fitzroya cupressoides
Fitzroya cupressoides
Patagonian Cypress
Origin: Native to South America in parts of Chile and Argentina.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Considered one of the worlds’ oldest living trees, named after British Vice-Admiral Robert Fitz Roy, captain of the HMS Beagle. Known in the past for its valuable timber, it was declared a National Monument in 1976 and any further felling of this tree was strictly prohibited. Unfortunately, due to illegal poaching this magnificent tree has become endangered, and conservation methods have been put into place.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Cupressaceae |
| Genus |
| Fitzroya |
| Species |
| cupressoides |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| Synonyms |
| Pinus cupressoides |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 7 - 9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 8 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H6 - H3 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-15) - (-1) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 5 - 30 |
| Height |
| 50 m |
| Spread |
| 5-9 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| This evergreen tree can grow to heights of 60 m, with a lifespan of 3,000-4,000 years. Its extremely durable bark was once highly prized for its various uses such as furniture and ship manufacturing. |
| Landscape |
| An excellent ornamental plant. |
| Cultivation |
| Acidic soil with humid conditions it is not tolerant of dry conditions. |
| Shape |
| Branches are slightly drooping creating a dome shape. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Fitzroya cupressoides has reddish-brown bark that peels into strips, dark green leaves, lined and in whorls of three. |
| Pests |
| Bark is extremely durable and resistant to fungi and insects. |
| Habitat |
| North facing slopes and woodland edges up to an altitude of 800 m. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Furrowed bark that is reddish-brown to reddish-orange in colour. It becomes darker and streaked as it matures and peels into long, vertical strips. |
| Leaf Description |
| Arranged in whorls of three and appear scale like, with white markings along the top and bottom. Approximately 3 mm in length, flat and oval in shape. |
| Flower Description |
| Cones consist of three alternating whorls, woody, globose, and 6-8 mm in diameter with a fragrant resin. |
| Colour Description |
| Leaves are dark green, and lined with white. Bark is reddish-brown to reddish-orange with the sapwood being a yellowish white. Cones are straw colour before maturing into a brownish-orange. |
| Texture Description |
| Deeply ridged bark with a coarse texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Los Alerces National Park, Chubut, Argentina. National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
| Propagation |
| Propagated through cuttings taken late in summer, or by seed. If by seed, start sowing the seeds in early spring in a cold frame. Once large enough to handle the seeds should be pricked and transferred into pots, grown in a greenhouse for their first winter. At the height of 30 cm, they should be planted outside late spring or early summer. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| In the past the Fitzroya’s bark was highly sought after for its various uses in making roof shingles, musical instruments, boats and furniture. |
References
Eckenwalder, J.E. (2009). Conifers of the world: The complete reference. Portland, OR: Timber Press Inc.
Cafferty, S. (2005). Firefly Encyclopedia of Trees. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books Inc.
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