Cupressus nootkatensis, as described in 1824 by David Don (1799 – 1841), in A Description of the Genus Pinus, 2nd edition, is commonly known as Nootka cypress, yellow cypress and Alaskan cypress. Even though it is not a true cedar (Cedrus), it is also sometimes confusingly called Nootka cedar, yellow cedar, Alaskan cedar, or Alaskan yellow cedar. Its name derives from its discovery on the lands of a First Nation of Canada. Those lands of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, were formerly referred to as the Nootka.
This species is a cypress of the Cupressaceae family that possesses a checkered taxonomic and nomenclatural history. Synonyms include:
It is one of the parents of the hybrid Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii). Since the other parent, Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa), is also in genus Cupressus, the ready formation of this hybrid is further argument for placing the Nootka cypress closer to Cupressus.
Description. Nootka cypress is an evergreen, coniferous species of tree that grows to mature heights of 125 feet (40 m) tall.
Branching is commonly pendulous, adapted to snowy winters.
Foliage consists of flat sprays, with dark green, 0.12 to 0.2 inch (3 – 5 mm) long scale-leaves.
Seed cones are comprised of 4 (occasionally 6) seed scales, and resemble the cones of Mexican cypress (Cupressus lusitanica), another Cupressus species which can show foliage in flat sprays fairly closely, except being somewhat smaller, typically 0.4 to 0.56 inch (10 – 14 mm) in diameter. Each seed scale has a pointed triangular bract about 0.06 to 0.08 inch (1.5 – 2 mm) long, again similar to other Cupressus and unlike the crescent-shaped, non-pointed bracts on the scales of Chamaecyparis cones.
native range of Cupressus nootkatensis
Distribution. This species is native to the west coast of North America, from Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, south to the Klamath Mountains in northernmost California. It typically occurs on wet sites in the mountains, often close to the tree line, but sometimes also at lower elevations.
The Caren Range on the west coast of British Columbia is home to the
oldest Nootka Cypress specimens in the world, with one specimen found to
be 1,834 years old according to the Chris Earle's Gymnosperm Database.
In Alaska, where the tree is primarily referred to as yellow cedar," extensive research has been conducted into large-scale die-offs of yellowcedar stands. These studies have concluded that the tree has depended upon heavy coastal snowpacks to insulate its shallow roots from cold Arctic winters. The impacts of climate change have resulted in thinner, less-persistent snowpacks, in turn causing increased susceptibility to freeze damage.
Hardy to USDA Zone 5 — cold hardiness limit between -20° and -10°F (-28.8°C and -23.3°C).
Nootka cypress at timberline in Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, USA.
Cupressus nootkatensis (Nootka cypress) — foliage, seed and pollen cones.
Photo by Rosser1954, via Wikipedia Commons, CC by SA 3.0
Cupressus nootkatensis at Mount Higgins Trail #640, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, USA.
Photo by Walter Siegmund via Wikipedia
Cupressus nootkatensis trunks showing bark of mature trees. Cedar Grove Botanical Area, Aldrich Mountains, Malheur National Forest, Grant County, Oregon.
Photo by Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service
Comments
Mark Kane
A seedling conifer sprouted in my front yard a few years ago and is now twelve feet tall. Its identity and origin are unknown. It is now growing at the Brenton Arboretum, where it was moved by tree spade in April, 2019. The twigs and leaves resemble Chamaecyparis but the branches emerge at regular intervals from a single trunk, all at right angles. If you would like to see this unusual conifer, contact Andy Schmitz at the arboretum. http://www.thebrentonarboretum.org
Marianne Bjørkøe
Jeg har en hængende nutca cypres i min have. Den er 3 meter høj og vel ca. 7 år gammel. I år er den blevet fuldstændig gul overalt. Den taber ikke bladene, men ser som sagt vissen ud. Hvad kan jeg gøre? Jeg har forsøgt at vande ret ihærdigt.
translation: I have a hanging Nootka cypress in my garden. It is 3 meters high and approx. 7 years old. This year, it has turned completely yellow everywhere. It does not lose its leaves, but as I said, it withers. What can I do? I have been trying to water quite diligently.
Maxwell Cohn
I recommend that you remove it. A conifer with yellow foliage that does not fall off is a dead conifer.
Sherry
We have 3 Nootka Cyprus trees in the yard. We live in Atlanta Georgia. They must be 30-40 feet tall. All the leaves/needles are dropping. They turn yellowish-brown and stop. The ground below them is covered. Are they dying? Thank you for your attention.
Comments
A seedling conifer sprouted in my front yard a few years ago and is now twelve feet tall. Its identity and origin are unknown. It is now growing at the Brenton Arboretum, where it was moved by tree spade in April, 2019. The twigs and leaves resemble Chamaecyparis but the branches emerge at regular intervals from a single trunk, all at right angles. If you would like to see this unusual conifer, contact Andy Schmitz at the arboretum. http://www.thebrentonarboretum.org
Jeg har en hængende nutca cypres i min have. Den er 3 meter høj og vel ca. 7 år gammel. I år er den blevet fuldstændig gul overalt. Den taber ikke bladene, men ser som sagt vissen ud. Hvad kan jeg gøre? Jeg har forsøgt at vande ret ihærdigt.
translation: I have a hanging Nootka cypress in my garden. It is 3 meters high and approx. 7 years old. This year, it has turned completely yellow everywhere. It does not lose its leaves, but as I said, it withers. What can I do? I have been trying to water quite diligently.
I recommend that you remove it. A conifer with yellow foliage that does not fall off is a dead conifer.
We have 3 Nootka Cyprus trees in the yard. We live in Atlanta Georgia. They must be 30-40 feet tall. All the leaves/needles are dropping. They turn yellowish-brown and stop. The ground below them is covered. Are they dying? Thank you for your attention.