Atlantic White Cypress

It is an evergreen coniferous tree growing to 20-28 m tall, with feathery foliage in moderately flattened sprays, green to glaucous blue-green in color. The leaves are scale-like, 2-4 mm long, and produced in opposite decussate pairs on somewhat flattened shoots; seedlings up to a year old have needle-like leaves. The seed cones are globose, 4-9 mm diameter, with 6-10 scales, green or purple, maturing brown in 5–7 months after pollination. The pollen cones are purple or brown, 1.5–3 mm long and 1–2 mm broad, releasing their yellow pollen in spring.

Chamaecyparis thyoides is of some importance in horticulture, with several cultivars of varying crown shape, growth rates and foliage color having been selected for garden planting. Named cultivars include 'Andelyensis' (dwarf, with dense foliage), 'Ericoides' (juvenile foliage), and 'Glauca' (strongly glaucous foliage). The wood is reported to endure moisture indefinitely; it has been used for fence-posts, ties and shingles. More

Chamaecyparis thyoides is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting Atlantic white-cedar (opens a new window). More

Discuss Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon' (Rubicon chamaecyparis) with other Shoot members. More