Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

The Monterey cypress, known scientifically as Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, is a coniferous evergreen tree. It is native to the coastal regions of California. Today, this species is considered a paleoendemic. This means it is a survivor from a much older, wider distribution. During the peak of the last ice age, these trees likely formed much larger forests. These forests probably extended much further north and south than they do today. Now, the natural range is confined to two small relict populations near Carmel, California. These specific areas are Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and Point Lobos.

The physical appearance of the Monterey cypress is shaped by its environment. It often develops an irregular and flat-topped shape. This occurs because of the strong winds typical of its native coastal habitat. In perfect growing conditions, the tree can reach a height of 40 meters. Its trunk diameter can grow as wide as 2.5 meters. The foliage consists of dense sprays of bright green, scale-like leaves. These leaves are only 2 to 5 millimeters long. When the foliage is crushed, it releases a deep lemony aroma.

The reproductive cycle of the tree involves both pollen and seed cones. The pollen cones are small, measuring only 3 to 5 millimeters in length. These cones release pollen during the late winter or early spring. The seed cones are larger, ranging from 20 to 40 millimeters long. They have between 6 and 14 scales. These cones are green when they first appear. They take about 20 to 24 months after pollination to mature into a brown color. The species name macrocarpa comes from Greek words meaning "with large fruit."

Scientific classification of the tree has changed due to modern technology. The German botanist Karl Theodor Hartweg first described it in 1846. He originally named it Cupressus macrocarpa. Hartweg was traveling in California during the Mexican-American War. He stayed near the town of Monterey to avoid political trouble. He feared locals might mistake his interest in "weeds" for a political mission. Recently, genetic evidence moved the species to the genus Hesperocyparis. This change happened because New World species are not closely related to Old World species.

There is much debate regarding the lifespan of these trees. Some seaside literature claims individual trees can live for 1,000 to 2,000 years. However, the botanist Willis Linn Jepson argued this lacks actual data. He believed people simply preferred using large numbers. The longest-lived report supported by physical evidence is only 284 years old. In the wild, few trees survive beyond 100 years. However, cultivated trees in New Zealand can live much longer. For example, the St. Barnabas Church tree in Nelson is 160 years old.

Humans have planted the Monterey cypress in many different climates. It is common in Great Britain, France, Italy, and Greece. In New Zealand, the trees often grow larger than in California. They find the conditions there very favorable. In these areas, they are often used as windbreak trees on farms. They are also used as ornamental trees or for timber. Some specimens in New Zealand have even reached massive sizes in trunk diameter. In South Africa, a copse was planted to remember infantrymen from World War 2.

The tree has several chemical properties that affect its use and safety. The foliage contains volatile oils, including alpha-pinene and terpinen-4-ol. It also contains a chemical called isocupressic acid. This substance is an abortifacient, which means it can cause miscarriages in cattle. Because of this, the foliage is slightly toxic to livestock. On the other hand, the wood is highly valued by craftspeople. It is used for furniture, decorative items, and even boat building. The wood burns fast and hot, though it can be quite sparky.