Cupressus goveniana ssp. goveniana

Identification

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Description

Gowen cypress is a shrubby tree to 15'. Native to Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach, California, where it grows on a sandy, rocky knoll a few miles from the ocean. The site has 2' of the worst-looking sand (sand-blasting stuff) on a high iron hard pan. There is less than a foot of 'real' soil here. It was growing with Xerophyllum tenax (Bear Grass), Gaultheria shallon (Salal), Vaccinium ovatum (Huckleberry) and Arctostaphylos pumila. One of its native sites was denuded for some reason and replanted with Monterey pines (which are within sight of this plant) and this plant. The pines died a fast death. The cypresses have managed to survive. They have not grown much, but there is not one blade of grass or one other thing on the site and there are 12' (yes feet) deep gullies criss-crossing it. Cypresses are tough. Cupressus goveniana has a slight lemon odor to its dark-green foliage. It is hardy to -10 degrees F. I have not tried this one in the desert yet, but it has made it here with no water. A rare plant that loves to be a ranch hedge. Syn. Hesperocyparis goveniana , Neocupressus goveniana and Callitropsis goveniana