Lawson cypress

Synonyms: savary cypress

Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsonianа) – a species of coniferous evergreen tall shrubs or trees of the genus Chamaecyparis, family Cupressaceae. The largest tree among the representatives of the genus. Native to Asia and North America, where it grows on moist soils in the valleys of coastal mountains. Occurs up to 1500 m above sea level. It was brought from America in 1854 and has since been cultivated in Europe. Lives more than 600 years.

It is a tall tree 50-60 m in height, with a narrowly conical crown that broadens downward. The top is narrow, usually leaning to one side. Under good conditions the branches droop to the ground; with poor care or overly dense planting the crown dries out and becomes bare at the base. The trunk diameter reaches 1.8 m. The bark is reddish-brown, thick, cracking into rounded plates. The root system is shallow, located in the upper soil horizon.

Foliage scaly, green, shiny above, below – covered with stomatal bands at the base of the leaves, aromatic. Flattened leaves reach 1-1.5 mm in width and 1.8-2 mm in length, bluntish, usually with a gland, without a keel on the back. Lateral leaves are twice as long and strongly compressed.

The plant is monoecious, dioecious in function. Male flowers are purplish-red, female – greenish, they grow at the tips of shoots. Blooms in spring.

Cones globose-ovoid in shape, at first green, later light brown with a small bluish bloom, reaching 8-10 mm in diameter. Scales are concave, strongly wrinkled, numbering 8-10. Cones ripen in September. Seeds are small, winged, with two large resin glands on both surfaces, borne 2(3) per cone.

Forms: Аlbospicata, Alumii, Аrgentea, Аurea , Columnaris, Вlооt, Вlue jacket, Blue Surprise, Воеrii, Воwileri, Вroomhill gold, Вruinii, Сaudata, Сhilworth silver, Darleyensis, Dephenii, Drummondii, Еlegantissima, Еllwoodii, Еrecta filiformis, Felix, Filifera glauca, Filiformis, Fletcheri, Stardust

Hardiness zone: 6-7

Habitat: in nature it grows in Oregon and California, in mountain valleys along streams and rivers. In youth it tolerates shade, becoming more light-demanding as it matures. Prefers light, moist soil, does not like drying out. Wind-resistant, tolerates urban conditions well.

Planting: planting is carried out in spring, immediately after the soil has warmed up. It is recommended to prepare the planting hole in autumn. The planting hole is enriched with peat, leaf and turf soil, organic and mineral fertilizers. It is recommended to fill the bottom with broken brick or crushed stone and leave it to freeze over winter. Do not bury the root collar when planting.

Care: in spring you can fertilize with Kemira (100 - 150 g/m²). Members of the species are rather sensitive to lack of moisture in the soil and air. Therefore, it is recommended to spray once a week. Watering – 8-10 L per plant; in dry periods the amount and frequency of watering should be doubled. Young plants are recommended to be shaded during hot periods. If the bark cracks, it is recommended to coat the exposed tissues with garden pitch, and to tightly bind any peeled-off bark.

Pruning: formative and sanitary pruning, which is recommended to be carried out in early spring.

Diseases: the most common disease is root rot, which arises from water stagnation in the soil, brown shoot blight, dieback of branches and bark.

Pests: scale insects, spider mite.

Propagation: effectively propagated by cuttings and seeds. Seeds germinate better after natural cold stratification. Cuttings are taken in the spring-summer period; cuttings are cut from lateral shoots and planted in a light substrate. With high soil and air humidity, cuttings root quickly. When propagating by layering, in early summer it is necessary to bend down low-lying branches to the ground and fix them with staples. In autumn the rooted shoot can be separated from the mother plant and planted in a permanent place.

Uses: used in alleys, group and solitary plantings, in rock gardens and alpine gardens, for creating garden-park compositions, as well as for creating hedges.