Italian Cypress

My final write on this series is about the Italian Cypress.  This is a popular plant for Tucson.  It's structural and adds definition to your garden space.  These can get quite large and tall.  Use this Cypress in repetition at corners or the entrance to a building.  You may see these placed around a walkway as a formal structure.  This Cypress, like most, require strong and hot sun.  You'll see this plant around town used in a lot of different ways.  Place around the corners of your home or near entrances....parkways. This plant defines space. It is drought tolerant and slow growing or at least that was my experience with it. You've been warned:) Again, this plant is popular with local wildlife, mainly birds, who like to nest in this giant. 

I wanted to share an observation about this cypress here in Tucson.  Lately, as of last year, I have noticed a decline in these plants.  Some groupings have totally collapsed and turned brown as if they were attacked by a parasite or insect....a blight. Along Speedway, near Pantano by an apartment complex, 5 or 6 trees just died.  I had this happen to one of my plants and I stopped trying to grow these in the landscape as it is hit or miss with this browning phenomena.  The worst part was that they were healthy cypress for so long and then it was a sudden and quick collapse.  Everything died.  The East side of town appears to be suffering from this attack while other parts of town show healthy and large specimens on their property.  It's a great plant if placed in the right spot so be aware.  Until next time.....