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Common Name: White Cypress

General Information

Chamaecyparis thyoides is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 10.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

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

Habitat

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

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

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 Uses

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[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring 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[].