White Cypress, Atlantic white cedar, Coast White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, White Cypress
Chamaecyparis thyoides

Family: Cupressaceae

What it is like

Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Columnar, Oval, Pyramidal.

Chamaecyparis thyoides is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Cold, swampy often inundated ground, frequently forming dense pure forests. The best specimens are found in acid peat beds.

Eastern N. America - Maine, south to Florida and west to Mississippi.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

A decoction of the leaves has been used as a herbal steam for treating headaches and backaches. A poultice made from the crushed leaves and bark has been applied to the head to treat headaches.

Other

Rating:

Plants can be grown as a tall hedge They are very tolerant of clipping so long as this does not extend into the brown barked wood since trees cannot regenerate from this. Any trimming should be done in the summer. Wood - soft, not strong, close grained, very durable, easily worked, light, slightly fragrant. It weighs 21lb per cubic foot. It is commonly used for woodenware, cooperage, fence posts, interior finish of houses etc. Wood found buried in swamps for hundreds of years is perfectly sound and not water-logged.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Hedge: Hedge

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Screen, Specimen. Succeeds in most soils and situations, but prefers abundant moisture and a deep loamy soil and a sheltered position. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Survives on dry alkaline soils. Growth of trees is hardly affected by a lack of phosphate in the soil. Plants are moderately shade tolerant, especially when young. Plants are tolerant of atmospheric pollution according to one report, whilst another says that they do not do well in a polluted atmosphere. This species is especially well adapted for planting in cold wet places. Plants are hardy to about -35°c. A long-lived tree in the wild with specimens more than 1,000 years old. It is slow growing in cultivation, trees rarely grow more than 20cm in a year. The branches become brittle with age. A very polymorphic species, there are many named varieties. The crushed foliage has a rather gingery hot aroma. Favoured by many birds for roosting, high cover and especially for nesting, large specimens of this tree help to attract songbirds to the garden. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Wetlands plant, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - sow March/April in a seedbed outdoors. The seed is best sown in pots in a frame. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. One month warm then one month cold stratification has produced good results. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in late summer or autumn in sandy soil in a cold frame. Difficult, it may be best done in late winter to early spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Hedge; Bog Garden;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. sphaeroidea. Cupressus thyoides. Thuja sphaeroidea.