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Chamaecyparis nootkatensis - (D.Don.)Spach.

Common Name Nootka Cypress, Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress, Alaska Cedar
Family Cupressaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Woodlands from sea-level to 1,000 metres[60, 82]. The best specimens are found in the deep soil of cool wet coastal forests[226].
Range Western N. America - Alaska to Oregon.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Nootka Cypress, Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress, Alaska  Cedar


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:MPF
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Nootka Cypress, Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress, Alaska  Cedar
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bruce_Marlin

 

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Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium 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 October to November. 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 alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cupressus nootkatensis. Thuyopsis borealis.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic  Miscellany  Poultice  Skin

The plant has been used in sweat baths for treating rheumatism and arthritis[257]. An infusion of the branch tips has been used as a wash for sores and swellings[257]. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to sores[257]. The soft bark has been used as a cover for poultices[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre  Hedge  Hedge  Miscellany  Tinder  Wood

Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[200] They are very tolerant of clipping so long as this does not extend into the brown barked wood since trees cannot regenerate from this[200]. Any trimming should be done in the summer[200]. The fibre of the inner bark is fine and soft, it is pounded and spun then used for making blankets, clothing, capes, mats etc[99, 226, 257]. Torn into pieces, it can be used as bandages or for washing babies[226]. The finely shredded inner bark can be used as a tinder[257]. Wood - hard, very durable, fragrant with an agreeable resinous odour, close grained, has low-shrinkage, is somewhat brittle, but does not splinter. Easily worked, it is used for carving, cabinet work, making boats, implements etc[1, 46, 61, 82, 99, 171, 226].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Screen. Succeeds in most soils and situations, but prefers a moist deep loamy soil and a sheltered position[1, 11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Survives on dry alkaline soils[200]. Does not grow well on peat or shallow chalky soils[11]. Growth of trees is hardly affected by a lack of phosphate in the soil. Plants are moderately shade tolerant, especially when young[81, 200]. Plants are tolerant of atmospheric pollution according to one report[200], whilst another says that they do not do well in a polluted atmosphere[1]. Plants are hardy to about -35c, they also tolerate low summer temperatures[200]. A very polymorphic species, there are many named varieties[200]. This species establishes well and grows fairly quickly when young[11]. Trees can reach 20 metres tall in 35 years but growth slows as the trees get older[185]. It is cultivated as a timber tree in Europe[50]. Trees in the wild can live for 1,000 years or longer[226], one specimen is believed to be 3,500 years old[229]. This longevity is probably due to the presence of toxic chemical compounds from microscopic fungi concentrated in the heartwood[226]. The wood and foliage have an acrid odour[226]. The bruised foliage releases a smell of turpentine[245]. Favoured by many birds for roosting, high cover and especially for nesting, large specimens of this tree help to attract songbirds to the garden[200]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a seedbed outdoors[78]. The seed is best sown in pots in a frame[K]. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. One month warm then one month cold stratification has produced good results[113]. 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[1, 11, 200]. Difficult, it may be best done in late winter to early spring[113].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alaska, Oregon, Washington, California (northwest)), Canada (British Columbia)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Chamaecyparis lawsonianaLawson Cypress, Port orford cedar, Oregon Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Lawson's CypressTree25.0 5-7 MLMHSNDM013
Chamaecyparis obtusaJapanese cypressTree40.0 4-8 MLMHNM003
Chamaecyparis pisiferaSawara cypressTree40.0 4-8 MLMHSNM003
Chamaecyparis thyoidesWhite Cypress, Atlantic white cedar, Coast White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, White CypressTree10.0 4-9 SLMHSNDMWe013
Santolina chamaecyparissusCotton LavenderShrub0.6 6-9 FLMNDM223

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(D.Don.)Spach.

Botanical References

1160200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Anders   Sun Nov 5 2006

Forest Farm Nursery excellent source for many unusual plants...probably no good for folks outside the U.S.A. though.

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