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Chamaecyparis thyoides - (L.)Britton.Stern.&Pogl.

Common Name White Cypress, Atlantic white cedar, Coast White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, White Cypress
Family Cupressaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Cold, swampy often inundated ground, frequently forming dense pure forests[11, 43, 81, 82]. The best specimens are found in acid peat beds[229].
Range Eastern N. America - Maine, south to Florida and west to Mississippi.
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 Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Chamaecyparis thyoides White Cypress, Atlantic white cedar, Coast White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, White Cypress


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Crusier
Chamaecyparis thyoides White Cypress, Atlantic white cedar, Coast White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, White Cypress
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 1: 65.

 

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Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. sphaeroidea. Cupressus thyoides. Thuja sphaeroidea.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Hedge; Bog Garden;

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.


A decoction of the leaves has been used as a herbal steam for treating headaches and backaches[257]. A poultice made from the crushed leaves and bark has been applied to the head to treat headaches[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  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]. 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[43, 46, 61, 82, 171, 235]. Wood found buried in swamps for hundreds of years is perfectly sound and not water-logged[11].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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[1, 11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Survives on dry alkaline soils[200]. 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]. This species is especially well adapted for planting in cold wet places[1]. Plants are hardy to about -35°c[200]. A long-lived tree in the wild with specimens more than 1,000 years old[229]. It is slow growing in cultivation[200], trees rarely grow more than 20cm in a year[185]. The branches become brittle with age[1]. A very polymorphic species, there are many named varieties[200]. The crushed foliage has a rather gingery hot aroma[185]. 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:Attracts birds, North American native, Wetlands plant, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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 (Connecticut, Maine (c.), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Alabama, Delaware, Florida (north), Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia)

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 nootkatensisNootka Cypress, Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress, Alaska CedarTree15.0 4-8 MLMHSNDM013
Chamaecyparis obtusaJapanese cypressTree40.0 4-8 MLMHNM003
Chamaecyparis pisiferaSawara cypressTree40.0 4-8 MLMHSNM003
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.

 

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Author

(L.)Britton.Stern.&Pogl.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

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