Description

This attractive cypress circles the Sacramento Valley (valley-side) at mid elevations. It is found in scattered groves in areas of high winter rainfall and intense summer heat. It has a “tricky” relationship to wildfires; the cones will not open and release seed without fire temperatures, but the trees are easily destroyed by fire. Frequent wildfires will not allow enough time for trees to mature and produce cones, while fire suppression will prevent seed distribution. Tricky. In form, the Macnab cypress most commonly grows as a round shrub. The leaves are scale-like and laid out flat on each branch like on an incense cedar, Calocedrus decurrens. Under favorable conditions, this fragrant cypress will become a tree of medium height, columnar in form. Consider Macnab cypress for an open sunny spot where it may thrive on neglect.