Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Cupressus Arizonica var. glabra ‘Carolina Sapphire’

Unless you can’t see color, a Carolina Sapphire Cypress tree amidst the greenery of other trees and shrubs will get your attention. It is pyramidal in form and resembles an odd Eastern Redcedar. However, it has bluish-green and often powder blue foliage that has a fine and delicate texture. In the next picture, it is easy to tell twigs from the two apart. It also has extremely showy red, peeling bark that is (unfortunately) usually hidden by the foliage. When present in the landscape, the Carolina Sapphire Cypress’s interesting features are sure to draw attention.

‘Carolina Sapphire’ is the most commercially significant cultivar of the evergreen conifer Arizona Cypress, Cupressus Arizonica. This tree is native to the American Southwest and Mexico. Wild seeds of this tree were collected from the Southwest, and germinated in 1961 by Tom Wright on his Christmas tree farm in Ward, South Carolina. Clemson University took select samples from this farm in 1968, and from them developed a cultivar. In 1987 this cultivar was registered by the Royal Horticultural Society as Cupressus Arizonica var. glabra ‘Carolina Sapphire’.

The Carolina Sapphire Cypress’s growth rate is 16 to 30 or more inches per year, which is rapid. At maturity, it can measure over 50 feet in height and about 20 or more feet in width. A tree may be expected to live over 60 years. The tree should be grown in full sun, and those with shade will have thinner foliage. It does best in hardiness zones 6 to 9. As expected from a tree native to the Southwest, it prefers dry to average moisture levels with good drainage and is considered drought-tolerant. It is not tolerant of standing water. Though relatively trouble-free, the Carolina Sapphire Cypress in wet conditions can develop a fungal disorder, and drought stress can open the door to cypress bark beetles.

The Carolina Sapphire Cypress grows with a strong central leader and has a distinctive pyramidal form. This pyramid opens up with maturity. Typical clearance of foliage from the ground is about 1 foot. Peeling red bark on the trunk and large branches reveals a smooth and reddish inner bark. This is extremely showy, but (unfortunately) mostly hidden by foliage. My camera did not adequately capture the beautiful red on the trunk pictured. This foliage emerges a beautiful powder-blue in spring, and is then blue-green. Due to the spiral pattern of it scaly needle-like leaves on branches, texture is fine and delicate. These apparent needles are stems with tiny leaves wrapped around them in a very regular pattern. Crushed stems and leaves give a pleasant evergreen aroma that is less strong than pine.  Leaf scales are emerging in above picture.

Since the Carolina Sapphire Cypress is a cultivar, or clone, of an original tree having certain desirable characteristics, it must be reproduced vegetatively to preserve those characteristics. This is done by rooting of branch cuttings. However, the tree can reproduce sexually to produce non-identical offspring. Observation of a tree will reveal that the trees do make globular cones composed of 6 to 8 scales, and they are found on short petioles. The scales have protuberances, making the cone surface uneven. Cones begin greenish-silver, and then ripen to a reddish mahogany brown in autumn.  At maturity, cones are 1 to 1¼ inches in diameter and contain several small seeds. My guess is offspring would not be Carolina Sapphire Cypress, but Arizona Cypress.

Carolina Sapphire Cypress trees can be very useful. They may be planted to form privacy screens and windbreaks much as Leyland Cypresses are commonly used, or they may be trimmed to form formal hedges similar to a Yew hedge. Trees may be planted strategically in the landscape as accents, as interesting specimens, or to give texture to the landscape. They are well suited for commercial Christmas tree farms, due to their natural pyramidal shape, fast growth, soft texture, and pleasant evergreen aroma. These trees are readily available at nurseries in the Atlanta area.

I often see Carolina Sapphire Cypress trees in the Atlanta area. There are several at the Inner Harbour campus where I work. When I see one, with its blue-green color and fine and delicate texture, I imagine the hidden red peeling bark of which most are unaware. I am glad I took time to examine this tree more closely.

Author: David

I grew up near Clayton, AL and have lived over 30 years near Atlanta, GA. My interests include family, church, guitar, gardening, working with kids... and math! Life can be very interesting. My websites: chasingtrees.net mathshortcutblog.wordpress.com View all posts by David