Monterey Cypress
ExploreTrees
Monterey Cypress
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa
The Monterey Cypress is a tall tree with a twisted shape. It's often found along the coast and has a special smell.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Monterey Cypress is a striking evergreen tree with a unique, often windswept appearance. It has dark green, scale-like leaves and reddish-brown, fibrous bark. Its broad, flattened crown and gnarled branches make it visually distinct, especially along coastal bluffs.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyCupressaceaeGenusCupressus
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Ancient carpenters valued its fragrant wood for building durable structures and boats.
Its entire natural range is tiny, covering only two small areas in California!
Its whimsical, twisted shapes might have inspired Dr. Seuss's Truffula trees!
The iconic Lone Cypress on 17-Mile Drive is a world-famous Monterey Cypress tree.
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Shield
Monterey Cypress can grow close to the ocean because its thick leaves and bark protect it from salty winds.
Ability
Wind Sculptor
Monterey Cypress has strong, flexible branches, allowing it to twist into unique shapes under persistent coastal winds.
Ability
Ancient Survivor
Monterey Cypress endures harsh coastal conditions for centuries due to its resilient wood and deep root system.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-25 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-20 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 50-200 cm
- Lifespan
- 150-300 years
- Fruit Type
- Cone
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
Ecological connections
shelters
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Crows often build nests high in its dense branches.
eats
Cypress Bark Beetle
Phloeosinus cupressi
Beetles tunnel under its bark, causing damage to the tree.
eats
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
Squirrels eat the seeds found within its small, woody cones.
Traits
Coniferous
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
Cupressus macrocarpa
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Monterey Cypress?
10-25 m
How wide does Monterey Cypress spread?
10-20 m
Is Monterey Cypress edible?
No
How big is Monterey Cypress?
50-200 cm
How long does Monterey Cypress live?
150-300 years
Where is Monterey Cypress usually found?
Coastal areas
What kind of fruit does Monterey Cypress produce?
Cone
How fast does Monterey Cypress grow?
Medium
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
