Tree of the month - November 2017

What is tree of the month?

Monterey cypress or Cupressus macrocarpa

Why is it tree of the month?

Restricted in the wild to Monterey County in California, Monterey cypress is well known in cultivation and is one of the most widely planted conifers in the world (Monterey pine, Pinus radiata, from the same area is another). Its original introduction is a little curious, when in 1838 an envelope of seeds turned up on a desk at Kew without explanation. A number of introductions have been made since, including in 2010, when colleagues from Bedgebury collected seeds from which young plants here now grow.

Where can I find it?

Our largest specimen grows along Main Drive. It is also illustrated in Westonbirt Arboretum’s Tree Spotter’s Guide! The young specimens that were collected as seed in 2010, are among the most vigorous trees in the collection and can be found in both the Old Arboretum and Silk Wood.