Cupressus Sempervirens Care

Placement

• The Italian cypress is native to parts of southern Europe and western Asia, where it grows as part of evergreen and mixed deciduous forests. The cultivated tree has a narrow columnar form, called fastigiate, and usually reaches a height of 40 to 60 feet, although some specimens can be taller. What sets this tree apart from others is its extremely narrow shape, with a width of only 3 to 5 feet. Because of this unusual form, the tree is a good choice for planting near the corner of a tall building, where it provides a vertical accent. When planted about 3 feet apart in a line, Italian cypress trees also make an effective boundary or screen planting.

Sun and Soil

• The Italian cypress tree thrives in a spot that gets full sun for most of the day. A native in regions with hot summers, it doesn't scorch in summer sun, but can also thrive when exposed to light shade for a few hours each day. The tree grows in any type of well-drained garden soil, but doesn't tolerate wet, soggy soil. If your soil is rich in clay and tends to drain slowly, adding sand at planting can help improve its drainage.

Water

• The Italian cypress tree has scale-like, grayish-green foliage that's aromatic when crushed. It needs only an average amount of water, although a newly planted tree benefits from regular watering for its first season or two. The tree is native to areas prone to dry spells in summer and tolerates drought well once established. It also is a good choice for a coastal location, where both air and soil tend to be high in salt.

Other Care

• The Italian cypress needs no pruning, developing its slender, upright shape naturally. Although it tolerates dryness well, adding a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch each spring can help conserve soil moisture and also keeps down weeds that compete for soil nutrients. The tree can develop certain fungal problems, including root rot or canker. These are best prevented by clearing debris from under the tree regularly and watering only at the root zone with a soaker hose or drip irrigation. This tree is also susceptible to spider mites, which can cause significant damage if not controlled. Thoroughly spraying the tree with insecticidal soap, diluted at a rate of 3 tablespoons per gallon, is usually effective against these pests.