Callitropsis nootkatensis
An evergreen conifer with pendulous curtain-like sprays and blue-green foliage native to the Pacific Northwest from Alaska to Oregon, valued for its vigor and ornamental appeal, long lifespan of about 1,500–1,800 years, and suitability as a specimen tree or tall hedge in moist, well-drained soils.
Common Names
Alaska Cedar, Alaska Cypress, Alaska Yellow Cedar, Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cedar, Yellow Cypress, Nootka False Cypress, Sitka Cypress
Summary
Alaska cedar is an evergreen conifer native to the Pacific Northwest, from Alaska to northern California, typically with pendulous branches and flattened sprays of dark green to blue‑green scale‑leaves; leaves are 3–6 mm long and arranged in four rows with a mildewy odor when bruised; young bark is thin and purplish, maturing to flaky gray; cones mature every two years and are round with 4–6 scales.
It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well‑drained soils with a pH of 5.5–7.0, is hardy in zones 5a–9b, and is long‑lived with resprout ability; propagation occurs by seed or layering and includes cultivars such as Aurea and Pendula; in landscapes it serves as a specimen or water‑edge plant, and its wood is durable for flooring, interior finish, and shipbuilding.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
82 ft
Spread
15-20 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5-9
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade; tolerates Partial Shade.
Soil Type
Deep, moist, well-drained loamy soil, pH 5.5–7.0
Soil Drainage
Well-drained, moist soil
Soil pH
5.5-7.0, Acidic to neutral
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
No bloom season; no true flowers (pollen-bearing cones).
Foliage Color
Gray-green to bluish-green
Fall Foliage Color
No color change
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen needle
Growth Rate
Slow
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Layering, Cuttings, Grafting
Attracts Wildlife
No wildlife attracted
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (D.Don) Oerst.
- Publication
- Frilands-Traevaext. 17. (1864)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Pinophyta
- Class
- Pinopsida
- Subclass
- Cupressidae
- Order
- Cupressales
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Genus
- Callitropsis
Synonyms
Thuja excelsa Thujopsis cupressoides Thujopsis tchugatskoyae Xanthocyparis nootkatensis Chamaecyparis excelsa Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Cupressus americana Cupressus nootkatensis Thujopsis borealis Chamaecyparis nootkatensis var. pendula Chamaecyparis nootkatensis f. viridis-pendula Chamaecyparis nootkatensis f. glauca Cupressus nootkatensis var. glauca Cupressus nootkatensis var. lutea Chamaecyparis nootkatensis f. lutea Chamaecyparis nootkatensis f. compacta Cupressus nootkatensis var. compacta Cupressus nootkatensis var. pendula Callitropsis nootkatensis Chamaecyparis nootkatensis var. glauca Chamaecyparis nootkatensis f. pendula