Monterey cypress

tree

Also known as: Cupressus macrocarpa

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) is a type of evergreen conifer native to the California coast, specifically the Monterey and Carmel seacoast. It is often planted for ornamental purposes. Cypress trees, in general, are known for their aromatic foliage and can grow to be about 25 meters (80 feet) tall, often with a pyramidal shape when young.12

While many trees are called cypress, the Monterey cypress belongs to the genus Cupressus. Its wood is considered useful, along with that of the Bhutan and Italian cypresses, for its durability in contact with soil, though it can be knotty. Monterey cypresses are cultivated for their graceful appearance, especially when young.2

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cypress
…from the Bhutan, Italian, and Monterey cypresses (C. torulosa, C. sempervirens, and C. macrocarpa, respectively). Their wood is light, moderately hard, and very durable in contact with the soil but is usually knotty and has an odour sometimes considered offensive. These three trees, together with the Arizona (C. arizonica and…
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…from the Bhutan, Italian, and Monterey cypresses (C. torulosa, C. sempervirens, and C. macrocarpa, respectively). Their wood is light, moderately hard, and very durable in contact with the soil but is usually knotty and has an odour sometimes considered offensive. These three trees, together with the Arizona (C. arizonica and…
Read More