An evergreen conifer with dense gray-green or bluish foliage and a pyramidal form. Arizona cypress is fast-growing and drought-tolerant in San Antonio, providing strong form to xeriscapes. Various cultivars are available; it’s often grown for Christmas trees.
In the wild, Arizona cypress is found not in forests but in scattered groupings, often growing with oak and California fan palm.
Pruning is always optional with Arizona cypress. In general, focus on minimizing dead or damaged branches. Cuts should only be made at a bud or branch; as with any tree, remove no more than 25% of the total canopy during any five-year cycle. To maintain a healthy specimen, leave the upper 2/3 of the tree’s height uncut, and never remove more than the lowest third of the tree in a single pruning period — for example, on a 12-foot tree, stick to the lowest 4 feet.
