See Also

Callitropsis nootkatensis

Nootka Cypress , formerly Cupressus nootkatensis, Xanthocyparis nootkatensis or Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, is a cypress Cypress

Cypress is the name applied to many plant [i]s in the conifer [i] family Cupressaceae [i]. ... 

  with a chequered taxonomic and nomenclatural history. First described in the genus Cupressus Cupressus

The genus [i] Cupressus is one of several genera within the family [i] Cupressaceae [i] that ... 

as Cupressus nootkatensis in 1824, it was transferred to Chamaecyparis Chamaecyparis

The genus [i] Chamaecyparis is one of several genera within the family [i] Cupressaceae [i] t ... 

in 1841 on the basis of its foliage being in flattened sprays, as in other Chamaecyparis, but unlike most other Cupressus species. However, this placement does not fit with the morphology and phenology of the cones, which are far more like Cupressus, like them maturing in two years, not one.

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Encyclopedia

Nootka Cypress , formerly Cupressus nootkatensis, Xanthocyparis nootkatensis or Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, is a cypress Cypress

Cypress is the name applied to many plant [i]s in the conifer [i] family Cupressaceae [i]. ... 

  with a chequered taxonomic and nomenclatural history.

First described in the genus Cupressus Cupressus

The genus [i] Cupressus is one of several genera within the family [i] Cupressaceae [i] that ... 

as Cupressus nootkatensis in 1824, it was transferred to Chamaecyparis Chamaecyparis

The genus [i] Chamaecyparis is one of several genera within the family [i] Cupressaceae [i] t ... 

in 1841 on the basis of its foliage being in flattened sprays, as in other Chamaecyparis, but unlike most other Cupressus species.

However, this placement does not fit with the morphology and phenology of the cones, which are far more like Cupressus, like them maturing in two years, not one. Genetic evidence, published by Gadek et al. , strongly supported its return to Cupressus and exclusion from Chamaecyparis.

More recently, Farjon et al. transferred it to a new genus Xanthocyparis, together with the newly discovered Vietnamese Golden Cypress Xanthocyparis vietnamensis; this species is remarkably similar to Nootka Cypress and the treatment has many arguments in its favour, as while they are not related to Chamaecyparis, neither do they fit fully in Cupressus despite the many similarities.

Little et al. , while confirming the above relationship with further evidence, pointed out that an earlier nomenclatural combination in the genus Callitropsis Callitropsis

Callitropsis is a genus of two species of cypress [i]es in the family Cupressaceae [i], one native t ... 

existed, as Callitropsis nootkatensis Oerst., published in 1864 but overlooked or ignored by other subsequent authors. Little et al. therefore synonymised Xanthocyparis with Callitropsis, the correct name for these species under the ICBN when treated in a distinct genus. The name Xanthocyparis has now been proposed for conservation, but until that is decided on at the 2011 International Botanical Congress, it is correctly classified in Callitropsis.



Although acceptance of the revised classification of this tree is widespread among botanist Botany

Botany is the scientific study [i] of plant [i]life [i]. ... 

s, inertia in the horticultural and forestry Forestry

Forestry is the art, science, and practice of studying and managing forest [i]s and plantation [i]s, and ... 

 industries , mean the name Chamaecyparis nootkatensis is likely to continue being listed in many situations.

This species goes by many common names including Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress, and Alaska Cypress. Even though it is not a cedar Cedar

Cedar correctly refers to those tree [i]s belonging to the genus Cedrus in the conifer [i]ous plant [i]... 

, it is also often confusingly called "Nootka Cedar", "Yellow Cedar", "Alaska Cedar", or even "Alaska Yellow Cedar". Its name derives from its discovery on the lands of a First Nation First Nations

First Nations is a term of ethnicity [i] used in Canada [i]. ... 

 of Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

, the Nuu-chah-nulth Nuu-chah-nulth

The Nuu-chah-nulth people are indigenous people [i]s of Canada [i].... 

 of Vancouver Island Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is located off Canada [i]'s Pacific [i] coast and is part of the Canadian province [i] ... 

, British Columbia British Columbia

British Columbia, often referred to as B.C. or BC , is the westernmost of [[Canada|Canada's]... 

, who were formerly referred to as the Nootka.

Nootka Cypress is native to the west coast of North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

, from the Kenai Peninsula Kenai Peninsula

[i]
... 

 in Alaska Alaska

Alaska is a U.S. state [i], located on the northwest tier [i] of North America [i] ... 

, south to northernmost California California

California is a state [i] spanning the southern half of the west coast [i] ... 

, typically occurring on wet sites in mountain Mountain

A mountain is a landform [i] that extends above the surrounding terrain [i] in a limited area. ... 

s, often close to the tree-line Tree-line

The tree-line or timberline is the edge of the habitat at which tree [i]s are capable of growing. ... 

, but sometimes also at lower altitudes.

It is an evergreen Evergreen

In botany [i], an evergreen plant is a plant that retains its leaves [i] all year round, with each ... 

 tree Tree

A tree is a large, perennial [i], wood [i]y plant [i]. ... 

 to 40 m tall, commonly with pendulous branches. The foliage is in flat sprays, with dark green, 3-5 mm long scale-leaves. The cones Conifer cone

A cone is an organ on plant [i]s in the division Pinophyta [i] that contains the reproductive structures ... 

 have 4 scales, and resemble the cones of Mexican Cypress Cupressus lusitanica

Cupressus lusitanica is a species of cypress [i] native to Mexico [i] and Central America [i] ... 

  fairly closely, except being somewhat smaller, typically 10-14 mm diameter; each scale has a pointed triangular bract about 1.5-2 mm long, again similar to other Cupressus and unlike the crescent-shaped, non-pointed bract on the scales of Chamaecyparis cones. The Caren Range on the west coast of British Columbia is home to the oldest Nootka Cypress specimens in the world with trees with one specimen found to be 1834 years old .

It is one of the parents of the hybrid Hybrid

In biology [i], hybrid has two meanings.
... 

 Leyland Cypress Leyland Cypress

The Leyland Cypress, Cupressus leylandii, is often referred to as just Leylandii.... 

; as the other parent, Monterey Cypress Cupressus macrocarpa

Cupressus macrocarpa is a species of cypress [i] endemic to the central coast of California [i] ... 

, is also in genus Cupressus, the ready formation of this hybrid is a further argument for the placement of the Nootka cypress close to Cupressus.

Uses


Construction

The various physical properties of the wood Wood

Wood is derived from woody plant [i]s, notably tree [i]s but also shrub [i]s. ... 

 makes it an attractive material for both general constrution and boat building. Due to its slow growth it is hard and, like other cypress woods it is durable; it therefore offers good dimensional stability, and is resistant to weather, insects, and contact with soil. It works easily with hand or machine tools; it turns and carves quite well. It can be fastened with glues, screws, and nails. Nootka Cypress's texture, uniform color, and straight grain will take a fine finish. It resists splintering and wears smoothly over time.

Due to its expense, it is used mainly for finished carpentry. Typical uses include exterior siding, shingles, decking, exposed beams, glue-laminated beams, paneling, cabinetry, and millwork. In historic preservation Historic preservation

Historic preservation or Heritage management is the theory and practice of creatively maintaining ... 

 it can be used as a substitute for Western Redcedar Thuja plicata

Thuja plicata is a species of thuja [i], an evergreen [i] coniferous [i] tree [i] in the c... 

 and Baldcypress Taxodium distichum

Taxodium distichum, also known as Bald Cypress, Baldcypress or Swamp Cypress, is a... 

, due to current difficulties in obtaining quality timber of those species due to environmental concern and past over-exploitation .

Other uses for Nootka Cypress include saunas, and battery containers due to its resistance to acids. Traditionally, paddles, masks, dishes, and bows were made from the wood.

Landscaping

The drooping branchlets give the tree a graceful weeping appearance. It makes an attractive specimen tree in park Park

A park is any of a number of geographic features.... 

s and open spaces. It can also be used as a tall hedge.

It will grow in USDA plant hardiness zone Hardiness zone

A hardiness zone is a geographically-defined zone in which a specific category of plant [i] life is capa ... 

s 5-9, but can be difficult to grow. Best growth is in light or heavy soil, preferably well drained, and in climates with cool summers. It prefers semi-shade to full sun.

Nootka Cypress can also be used in bonsai Bonsai

Bonsai is the art of aesthetic miniaturisation of trees [i] and plants [i] in containers. ... 

.

References

  • Gadek, P. A., Alpers, D. L., Heslewood, M. M., & Quinn, C. J. 2000. Relationships within Cupressaceae sensu lato: a combined morphological and molecular approach. American Journal of Botany 87: 1044–1057.
  • Farjon, A., Hiep, N. T., Harder, D. K., Loc, P. K., & Averyanov, L. 2002. A new genus and species in the Cupressaceae from northern Vietnam, Xanthocyparis vietnamensis. Novon 12: 179–189.
  • Little, D. P., Schwarzbach, A. E., Adams, R. P. & Hsieh, Chang-Fu. 2004. The circumscription and phylogenetic relationships of Callitropsis and the newly described genus Xanthocyparis . American Journal of Botany 91 : 1872–1881.
  • Mill, R. R. and Farjon, A. . Proposal to conserve the name Xanthocyparis against Callitropsis Oerst. . Taxon 55: 229-231.