Conical tree 10-20 m tall with long, pendulous, flattened sprays of foliage; it has a few dwarf and colour cultivars. Bark dark brown and stringy. Leaves in equal-lengthed pairs, slender, long-pointed, slightly spreading, dark green above, pale waxy blue below, smelling of turpentine when crushed. Male cones to about 7 mm long, numerous. Female cones grey at first, turning blue, usually 9-11 mm wide, dark waxy brown, taking 2 years to ripen; scales 4-6, each with a prominent point.

Natural habitat mostly montane but occasionally coastal to alt. about 1000 m. Shares with Cupressus a similar flavanoid chemistry and cones that ripen in the second year; its close relationship is also indicated by hybridisation with C. macrocarpa to form the Leyland Cypress.

W North America.

Wood of excellent quality and used commercially.

Leaves narrow, long-pointed, without white markings. It differs from XCupressocyparis leylandii, in having coarser foliage, and cones about 1 cm wide with 4-6 scales: Leyland Cypress has cones 1.5-2 cm wide with 8 scales.

VIC: Beaufort ('Belmont'); Dandenongs ('Pirianda').

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Cupressaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.