Common Name: Bhutan Cypress

General Information

Cupressus cashmeriana is an evergreen tree with a conical to pyramidal crown that becomes irregular and broad in old trees; it can grow 85 - 95 metres tall. The trunk can be up to 350cm in diameter and, in large specimens, is often buttressed[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of timber, though commercial harvesting may have ceased largely due to scarcity and inaccessability of the remaining wild populations[]. A very ornamental tree with its drooping branches and glaucous foliage, it is grown as an ornamental and is commonly planted in Buddhist temples and monasteries[].
Cupressus cashmeriana is restricted to a small region in the Himalayas. The scarcity of localities where it appears to grow naturally, with often few large trees present, as well as the general desirability of its wood in E Asia in connection with religious and other traditional buildings, indicate a serious vulnerability of the remaining wild populations.
However, its natural distribution has only recently been evaluated and there is no clear evidence of serious decline over the past three generations[]. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - northern India (Arunachal Pradesh)

Habitat

An emergent tree in evergreen angiosperm forest dominated by Oaks, also growing in pure stands on rocky limestone cliffs; at elevations from 1,250 - 2,670 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 m

Cultivation Details

Cupressus cashmeriana growis at moderate to high elevations in the Himalayas, where the climate is strongly influenced by summer monsoon rains, with around 800 - 2,000mm annual precipitation. Some forms are quite cold tolerant, though other forms need an almost frost-free climate[].
Grows well in a hot, dry situation[]. Prefers a pH of 6 or lower[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The tree is possibly used medicinally[].

Other Uses

The wood is durable and used locally[].

Propagation

Seed -