The Cypresses 



The Arizona Cypress (C Ari^onica, Greene) extends as a 

 small or medium-sized tree of pyramidal habit from Arizona into 

 California and Mexico. Forests of it are found at 5,000 to 6,000 

 feet elevation. The trees are occasionally broad with flattened 

 tops. The leaves are pale green, and a glaucous bloom covers 

 them after the first year of growth. The cones are also glaucous, 

 and each thick scale has a sharp beak at the top. The tree is rare 

 in cultivation, and as yet has no importance in the lumber trade. 



The Cypress (C. Goveniana, Gord.), of central and sou'chern 

 California coast mountains, has dark green foliage on spreading 

 branches that form a loose, open head. The tree is not at all rare 

 within its range, but varies from a shrub to a tree 50 feet high. 

 Horticultural forms, usually dwarfs, are cultivated. 



The Macnab Cypress (C. Macnabiana, Murr.), also a Cali- 

 fornian limited to the northern mountainous part of the state, is a 

 small spreading tree, rarely 30 feet high, often with many stems. 

 Its leaves are dark green, sometimes whitened by a glaucous 

 bloom, always distinctly set with glands. In cultivation the tree 

 is the hardiest of the genus, although restricted to California and 

 the Gulf States in this country and to the warmer parts of Europe. 



The classic Cypress (C. sempervirens, Linn.) of the Old 

 World gives distinction to Italian gardens to-day, and as the 

 symbol of mourning has been planted in the burial places of Europe 

 from the earliest recorded times. It is mentioned more fre- 

 quently in classical literature than any other conifer.* Its som- 

 bre foliage was the badge of grief. It is one of the trees noted for 

 longevity; its age limit is estimated at 3,000 years. Not hardy 

 in our Northern States, it is cultivated in the South and in Cali- 

 fornia. The species submits to severe pruning, so it is often 

 planted for hedges. 



2. Genus CHAM^CYPARIS, Spach. 



Trees of tall, narrow pyramidal habit, with short, spreading 

 side branches, and flat branchlets spray. IVood pale, fragrant, 

 durable. Leaves scale-like, sharp, opposite in pairs. Flowers 

 monoecious, minute, globular, lateral. Fruit annual, erect, 

 globular cones of few woody scales; seeds i to 5 under each fertile 

 scale. 



* " Nor, when you die, shall any of the trees you have planted, save only the mournful cypresses, 

 follow their master." — Horace. 



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