Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Lawson Cypress)

Lawson Cypress

 

Price £ each (ex VAT)

Height Age 25+ 100+ 500+
40-60cm 2u1 0.98 0.56 0.51

Delivery

Bareroot from November to April

Prices

The prices above are offered as a guide and may be subject to fluctuation dependant upon the time of season and supply. We recommend that contact is made with the office for larger orders, a quotation and to check availability Alternatively please contact us to enquire about opening a wholesale account.

Introduced from Oregon by Lawson’s Nurseries in Edinburgh in 1854, the Lawson Cypress is also known as Port Oregon Cedar. It is perhaps now one of the most widely planted conifers in Britain, appearing in parkland and gardens everywhere. If pruned correctly, it makes an excellent fast-growing hedge or screen and an impressive specimen tree. It’s lower maintenance than the somewhat similar Leyland’s Cypress and makes a better hedge.

Site and soil

Although The Lawson Cypress prefers a deep moist soil and a moist atmosphere, it tolerates most soils well. It is wind, pollution and shade tolerant.

Height and spread

After 10 years: 8m x 2m
After 20 years: 15m x 2.5m

Leaf and bark

The scaly leaves are held in flat sprays and are bright green and strongly resin scented. The bark is reddish-brown, forming scaly plates.

Flower, seed and fruit

The male flowers are red, shedding their pollen in March; the females are greenish-blue. The cones are woody, about 0.8cm long and are green, ripening to brown.

Uses

The dense growth of the Lawson Cypress makes it ideal as a hedge and for topiary. It also makes an excellent fast-growing screen on golf courses, industrial sites and a shelter for buildings. It is often grown as a specimen tree (up to 40m) in parkland and woodland. Grown commercially for timber in the USA and Europe. The wood is light and durable and is highly prized for coffins in Japan, for making arrows and in aircraft-making.

Wildlife

Good shelter and nesting sites for birds including Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Goldcrest. Some finches also feed on the cones.

Pruning

Lawson Cypress hedges should be pruned from a young age. Take out the growing tip when planting to encourage bushy growth, and prune in spring and summer in following years. Do not cut into old wood as it won't re-grow.