Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

Common Names

Monterey Cypress, Lemon Cypress, Ciprés Monterrey

Summary

Monterey Cypress is a native evergreen conifer from California’s central coast, restricted to two relict stands near Cypress Point and Point Lobos. It forms a windswept, broad-spreading crown that becomes irregular with age, with dense dark green, scale-like foliage that emits a lemon scent when crushed. Seed cones are globose to oblong with 8–14 scales, maturing brown after about 20–24 months, and the bark is reddish-brown beneath, often peeling to gray.

It thrives in full sun with well-drained soils and tolerates clay, loam, or sand; drought tolerance is moderate after establishment, with high aerosol salt tolerance and wind resistance suited to coastal sites. Widely planted as an ornamental and windbreak and used to stabilize sands, it is propagated by seeds or cuttings and grows in USDA zones 7–10; common pests include aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, and scale, and canker (coryneum canker) may affect some trees, requiring pruning and removal of infected parts. The wood is hard and durable, and outside its native range it can be invasive according to some regional assessments.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

40 to 70 feet

Spread

30-40 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-8.0; acidic to slightly alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies attracted, Other pollinators attracted, Birds attracted