Cypresses are evergreen trees or shrubs. They are valued for their graceful appearance and sometimes for their timber. Only the plants belonging to the scientific group, or genus, called Cupressus are considered to be true cypresses. The cypress pine and false cypress belong to the same family as the cypresses but not the same genus. The bald cypress belongs to a different family. People plant cypresses in gardens and parks. Some types are sold as Christmas trees. Because cypress wood resists rotting and pests, it is often used in fences, docks, posts, and other outdoor structures. Where cypresses growCypresses grow in Europe, Asia, and North America. Some kinds are rare trees, found in only a few places. For example, the Monterey cypress can be found growing wild only in two groves near the central California coast. Cypresses cannot survive severe frost. They therefore grow in warm areas only. Physical featuresCypresses are varied in size and shape. Some kinds are low shrubs, while others reach heights of 80 feet (25 meters) or more. Some have a tapered shape like a Christmas tree, but others grow into tall, stately columns. Some grow broad, flat tops. In windy areas some have been twisted and bent by the wind to form interesting shapes. The leaves of mature trees look like flat scales covering the twigs. They may be blue-green, gray-green, or other shades. In most cypresses the twigs grow out all around the branches. A few have twigs that develop in a flat, fanlike shape. The bark is sometimes smooth, but it may be rough, patchy, or shredding. The cones are the reproductive structure of the plant. Male and female cones grow separately on the same tree. They are woody, knobby, and round. Often they have a sharp point. It generally takes two years before they ripen and are ready to release seeds. However, the seeds may stay in the cones for several years. Other cypressesThe false cypresses have smaller cones with smoother seeds. Among them are the white cypress and the Nootka cypress. Both are valuable North American timber trees. The cypress pines are native to South Africa and Australia. The bald cypress is a large tree that typically grows in warm, swampy areas in North America. Many people recognize it for its knobby “knees,” which are actually roots that are attached to the trunk above the waterline in swamps. They help the tree gather oxygen and give it a firm, stable base. |