Cypress ID

[BostonBull]

First off I have no pics at this time. BUT I am going to just throw it out there.

I found a very cool looking tree in a cemetery where we dump chips. The owner says he brought them up from RI about 35 years ago and planted them. He says they are hinoki Cypress. I cant find any real closeup pics but what idid find doesnt look similiar.

They have a christmas tree type growth structure, are green and red foliage. the needles are arranged almost exactly like the pictures I have see of Sequoiadendron Gigantinum (sp?). They are about 40-45 feet tall. I havent seen any cones on them yet, doenst mean they are not there though.

The trunk looks like the same as a Cypress, cedar, redwood....etc etc

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

we need a pic old chap

 

[M.D. Vaden]

When you describe the shape, size and foliage, the tree that comes to mind is..

Cryptomeria

Those can turn red or purple in the fall / winter.

http://bellquel.bo.cnr.it/scuole/serpieri/erbario/immagini%20erbacee%20spontanee/Taxodiacee/Cryptomeria%20japonica%203.jpg

Is that the foliage style? Most photos don't show the potential winter color.

I think they are also referred to as Japanese cedar.

 

[clearance]

M.D. your'e a smart guy, riddle me this. How come they call yellow cedar cypress on the logging plans I see? I call it yellow cedar, thats what it is, like red cedar, differnt needles, stronger holding wood, looks the same from afar. Who is right, yellow cedar or cypress?

 

[M.D. Vaden]

More than one common name?

I know that here in the west, many people refer to Douglas fir as just "fir" trees sometimes even though it's not a fir.

I'm not sure if the logging people cut the nickname that short though.

 

[BostonBull]

Thats the foliage shape but the tree in question isnt as far spaced out on the lateral buds. It is a more full tree and the needles are a touch longer. I will try and get pics this week if possible. The tree has a ver conical shape to it like a x-mas tree.

 

[jimmyq]

Clearance, it might be that yellow cedar is (was) called Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ( a false cypress) although the name chage to Xanthocyperus is proposed but I dont think finalized. and western red cedar is actually a Thuja plicata. True Cedar, Cedrus doesnt occur in BC naturally as far as I know.

 

[treeseer]

THe hinoki cypress I've seen have an irregular shape and no red.

If you don't use scientific names when there is confusion, there will always be confusion.

 

[Pilsnaman]

Try the following web site on for size, it is run by a prof. at Virginia Tech that my wife had. This guys really does know his stuff when it comes to tree identification. If you go to "I.D. keys" there is a section called "interview me" where you can add in all the stuff you know about the tree and get a list of possibilities. Have fun.
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/doctor/doctor.cfm