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Lawson Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

The Lawson Cypress is a lovely tree with feathery foliage. It often grows in gardens and parks, making them look beautiful.

Habitat: Gardens and parks

Appearance

The Lawson Cypress has dense, flattened sprays of scale-like foliage that are often a vibrant blue-green or grey-green. Its narrow, conical shape tapers upwards, making it visually distinct from trees with needle-like leaves or broader crowns.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyCupressaceaeGenusChamaecyparis

Lawson Cypress

Interesting facts

Its crushed foliage smells uniquely like parsley or lemon-pine!

It’s named after Charles Lawson, who introduced it to European gardens.

Over 200 different varieties have been bred for gardens worldwide.

The lightweight wood is prized for building boats and musical instruments.

Special abilities

Lawson Cypress releases aromatic compounds that can deter some pests, helping it stay healthy and strong.

Its dense, layered foliage creates an excellent natural windbreak, protecting other plants and wildlife from harsh gusts.

The tall, conical canopy casts significant shade, keeping the ground cool and moist, aiding undergrowth survival.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-60 m
Canopy Spread: 6-12 m
Is Edible: No
Trunk Diameter: 100-200 cm
Lifespan: 400-600 years
Fruit Type: Small, rounded woody cones
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Evergreen

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Wine-stain Earthball

Rhizopogon vinicolor

Forms beneficial mycorrhizal associations with its roots.

eaten by

Grey Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

Squirrels eat the seeds found within its small cones.

eaten by

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustes

These birds crack open the hard seeds from its cones.

eaten by

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer can browse on young foliage, especially in winter.

shelters

Pacific Madrone

Arbutus menziesii

Often grows alongside in its native habitats.

Traits

Coniferous

Imagine trees with needles instead of flat leaves and special cones that hold their seeds. These evergreens bring green to the forest all year long!

Evergreen

These wonderful plants keep their leaves or needles all year round, providing beautiful green scenery even in the chilliest months. They stay green forever!