Cipresso Italiano Fastigiato

Class

Pinopsida

Division

Pinophyta

Family

Cupressaceae

Order

Pinales

Genus

Cupressus

Species

sempervirens

Description

Conifer with an upright habit and predominantly columnar or pyramidal foliage. The sinuosity and elegance of its natural habitus makes it suitable for ornamental purposes in typical Italian gardens as well as for tree-lined avenues, windbreaks and slope stabilization works.

Variety description

Original tree of the European Mediterranean area, typically Italian, with a distinctive appearance and known worldwide as the Italian cypress. Refined in elegance, slender and compact, medium to large size. Compact, columnar, conical crown crown with close branching. Scaled, shiny dark green leaves, blossoms discreetly and not very ornamental in spring. Reddish-brown, grooved bark. Solid, moderately deep and widespread rooting in the soil. Very hardy and adapts to climatic variations, even in urban climates and parks. Prefers clay and sandy, drained soils, but grows well in all soil types. It is a species suitable for landscaped green areas of all sizes; it is widely used both in isolated form and in small groups in parks and gardens; it is also suitable for the formation of trees in rows both in parks and in driveways and for landscaping, as is the case in many regions of central and southern Italy. It belongs to the group of conifers that lends itself to widespread, multifunctional, ornamental and landscape use. It does not require pruning. It must never be topped or pruned.

Curiosities and special features

The Common Cypress not only plays a primary role in the landscapes of many Italian regions such as Tuscany and Umbria, but is also a conifer that is widely used in parks and gardens of historic villas. In addition, leaves, galbules (fruits) and branches are used in pharmaceuticals and perfumery.

Origin and distribution

A species native to Asia Minor and the eastern Mediterranean; it was spread to Italy by the Etruscans and Greeks and has become an integral part of the landscape in many central and southern Italian regions. Currently present in an assortment of varieties and clones, including some resistant to the cryptogamic disease caused by the parasitic fungus Coryneum cardinal.

Leaf

The leaves, which entirely cover the branches, are needle-shaped.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, generally dark green or green-dark grey.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 3 to 30 m depending on the growing conditions and the variety. In general, the Italian cypress is a first-class tree.

Lifespan

Evergreen polyennial conifer.

Where to plant

Plant suitable for multifunctional, ornamental and landscape use, for flowerbeds, gardens and parks, open field

Stem

The stem is woody with reddish-brown bark fissured in longitudinal wrinkles; the variety has no thorns.

Growth

Compact Growth Plant.

Plant habit

The habitus is erect, mainly with a compact, columnar, conical crown crown.

Branching

Branching is abundant and close, with branches developing from the base of the stem.

PH

It requires a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting, carry out appropriate digging by removing weeds and bulky pebbles, also bury organic matter and, if the soil is heavy and poorly draining, add sand.

Sun exposure

It prefers full sun exposures.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C, it prefers a warm Mediterranean climate.

Use

Due to its sinuous and imposing bearing, the Italian cypress is widely used as an outdoor plant:

Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping Environmental Consolidation Plants

Hardiness

A plant of medium-high rusticity, it adapts to different soil conditions and tolerates temporary drought.

Soil

It adapts to different types of soil as long as they are well drained and rich in organic matter.

Difficulty

Following proper planting in the new site, the cultivation of cypress is fairly easy.

Growing tips

Some useful aspects and cultivation conditions for better vegetative growth of cypress:
Balanced fertilisation Expose the plant to maximum light Avoid over-watering Prefers warm and dry climate

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 1500 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'. Place the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping it well compacted around the root and keeping the collar of the plant off the soil surface, then water after planting without causing water stagnation. It is advisable to carry out proper bracing to ensure the uprightness of the stem.

Pruning

Do not prune at the apex or head off, if necessary only intervene laterally, preserving the perfect tapered conical shape of the cypress.

Propagation

Multiplication is by layering, cuttings, seed or micropropagation.

Watering

After transplanting, assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site, keeping the latter at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent water saturation conditions and provide quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out a background fertilisation with balanced granular fertiliser for ornamental plants.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

With cultivation both in the field and in pots, keep the plants with vertical growth supports up to about 2 metres to ensure the stem is vertical. Use humic acids to lignify the stem and roots well.