Callitropsis nootkatensis (D.Don) Oerst.

A tree 120 ft high, with a trunk 5 or 6 ft in diameter; as known in cultivation of rather slender, pyramidal form when young, becoming proportionately broader later; the smaller branches two-ranked, more or less pendulous; the ultimate division 1⁄16 to 1⁄12 in. wide, sometimes terete, more often four-angled, but broader than thick. Leaves in four ranks and of about equal size, 1⁄12 to 1⁄8 in. long, abruptly and sharply pointed, not often glandular, dark green. Cones 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 in. across, globose, rather glaucous, with usually four (sometimes six) scales that are furnished in the middle part with a triangular-pointed boss; ripening the second year.

Native of western N. America from Alaska to Oregon; discovered by Menzies in 1793, and introduced about 1853. It is, from a garden point of view, undoubtedly one of the finest and most desirable of the cypresses, growing rapidly, being very hardy, and almost invariably preserving a healthy, vigorous appearance. Nor does it seem fastidious as to soil. Of the other species it is most likely to be confused with Lawson’s cypress, from which it may be distinguished by the following characters: leaves strongly pungent when crushed, with a median ridge and not marked with white on the under-surface; sprays rough to the touch; cone-scales with a prominent point; bark thin, and hence never deeply furrowed, even on old trees. From a distance the Nootka cypress is usually easy to distinguish by reason of its very pendulous sprays.

The Nootka cypress grows well over much of the British Isles but prefers a deep, moist soil and does not thrive on shallow chalky soils or poor peats. The following are a few of the best trees in the British Isles: Leonardslee, Sussex, 89 × 63⁄4 ft (1958); Linton Park, Kent, 86 × 71⁄4 ft (1965); Eridge Castle, Kent, 97 × 91⁄2 ft (1963); Titness Park, Berks., 89 × 71⁄2 ft (1957); Westonbirt, Glos., 90 × 10 ft (1965); Broxwood Court, Heref., 95 × 83⁄4 ft (1957); Dupplin Castle, Perths., 90 × 71⁄4 ft (1957); Castle Leod, Ross and Cromarty, 90 × 91⁄2 ft (1966).

From the Supplement (Vol. V)

specimens: Linton Park, Kent, 80 × 101⁄4 ft and 98 × 81⁄4 ft (1984); Bridge Castle, Kent, 82 × 101⁄2 ft (1984); Roche’s Arboretum, Sussex, 88 × 71⁄2 ft (1980); Leonardslee, Sussex, 98 × 81⁄4 ft (1979); Moss’s Wood, Surrey, 88 × 9 ft (1975); Stourhead, Wilts., 90 × 91⁄4 ft (1982); Westonbirt, Glos., the tree mentioned was blown down 1976, the largest now, in Main Drive, is 92 × 83⁄4 ft (1980); Batsford, Glos., 90 × 73⁄4 ft (1980); Eastnor Castle, Heref., 80 × 91⁄2 ft (1981); Holme Lacy, Heref., 75 × 91⁄4 ft (1975); Broxwood Court, Heref., 92 × 91⁄2 ft (1975); Endsleigh, Devon, 90 × 91⁄4 ft (1977); Bella Wray, Cumb., 95 × 81⁄4 ft (1976); Leighton Hall, Powys, 82 × 9 ft (1983); Glenlee Park, Kirkcud., 85 × 93⁄4 ft (1985); Dawyck, Peebl., 88 × 91⁄2 ft (1982); Scone Castle, Perth, 93 × 10 ft (1974); Dunkeld House, Perths., 100 × 9 ft (1981); Dupplin Castle, Perths., four trees, the largest in girth 95 × 10 ft (1983); Glamis Castle, Angus, Pinetum, 92 × 81⁄2 ft (1981); Cawdor Castle, Nairn, 92 × 91⁄4 ft (1980).

cv. ‘Lutea’. – This is also known as ‘Aurea’. It may be that two or even more clones have been distributed, but none of the cultivars grown under either name can vie with the golden forms of Lawson cypress.

† cv. ‘Nidifera’. – The true ‘Nidifera’ was raised by Rovelli of Pallanza, Lake Maggiore, some time before 1889. However, the original plant was either lost or sold, and its name was usurped by C. lawsoniana ‘Nidiformis’ (see above under C. lawsoniana ‘Tamariscifolia’). The confusion was detected by David Hunt and is discussed by him in Journ. R.H.S., Vol. 99, pp. 361–3 (1974). What is almost certainly the true C. nootkatensis ‘Nidifera’ was found by Humphrey Welch at Mlynany (formerly Malonya), Czechoslovakia, in the arboretum created by Count Ambrozy. It has been propagated. See further in Mr Welch’s Manual of Dwarf Conifers (1979), pp. 163–5 and Identification Plate 5.

cv. ‘Pendula’. – Although attaining a considerable height, this cultivar is ornamental only when young.