How Fast Does a Cupressus Sempervirens Grow?

Growth

• The Italian cypress tree is a needled evergreen and a moderate-to-fast grower that adds 8 to 16 inches to its height each year. Most cultivated trees are about 20 or 30 feet tall at maturity, but some specimens can be up to 70 feet tall when grown under ideal conditions. A native of southern Europe and parts of the Middle East, the tree adds height but not a great amount of width as it matures, generally spreading to cover only 3 to 6 feet when fully grown.

Siting

• The Italian cypress grows to best advantage when given a spot in full sun, where it develops a dense form with a symmetrical, smooth outline. The tree can tolerate some light shade, but a location in full shade is not a good choice for this tree. The tree makes a strong visual statement planted as a specimen near the edge or corner of a tall house or other building, or as a tall element in a mixed planting with other trees. You can also plant several cypress trees in line to develop a screen, spacing trees about 3 feet apart for maximum density.

Water and Soil

• The Italian cypress is quite tolerant of dry spells once established, but needs weekly watering when first planted to establish a good root system. Although it can survive drought without significant damage, giving it supplemental water once or twice a month during these periods can help keep it growing well. The tree grows in any type of garden soil that's well-drained, and tolerates salty soil well, making it a good tree for coastal areas. It doesn't do well in soil that tends to hold water and stay wet for long periods after a rain. If your soil is rich in clay and drains poorly, add some fine sand at planting to improve its drainage.

Other Care

• The Italian cypress develops its shape naturally and needs no pruning, although you can removed branches damaged by wind or snowpack as they appear. It has no serious pest or disease problems, but can attract spider mites that may cause some browning of foliage. Control these by spraying the tree thoroughly with insecticidal soap, diluted at a rate of 5 tablespoons per gallon. If the tree grows under especially moist conditions, it could develop root rot, a fungal disorder. Avoid this by regularly clearing debris from under the tree and watering only with a soaker hose or drip irrigation, keeping the tree's foliage as dry as possible. If you grow several closely spaced trees, avoid using organic mulch; choose gravel or pea stone instead, since these drain quickly and don't tend to stay moist.