A relatively large tree in habitat, at Point Lobos, California [C.J. Earle, 13-Mar-1998].
Foliage [C.J. Earle].
Common Names
Monterey cypress, ciprés Monterrey (Eckenwalder 1993).Taxonomic notes
Description
"Trees to 25 m; crown generally broadly spreading, especially on exposed headlands, fairly sparse, often composed of few major limbs from near ground, more upright in sheltered locations. Bark rough, fibrous. Branchlets decussate, 1.5-2 mm diam. Leaves without gland or sometimes with inconspicuous, shallow, pitlike, abaxial gland that does not produce drop of resin, not glaucous. Pollen cones 4-6 × 2.5-3 mm; pollen sacs 6-10. Seed cones oblong, 2.5-4 cm, grayish brown, not glaucous; scales 4-6 pairs, smooth, umbo nearly flat at maturity. Seeds mostly 5-6 mm, dark brown, not glaucous. 2n = 22" (Eckenwalder 1993).Range
USA: California: the Pacific Coast at Carmel (near Monterey), in two groves, at Cypress Point and Point Lobos (Peattie 1950). See also Thompson et al. (1999). Due to its rarity, it is of conservation concern. It is known from fossils to have been in other regions. It is much planted and commonly naturalized near the coast from central California north to Washington and in warm temperate and subtropical regions worldwide (Eckenwalder 1993).The species is moderately serotinous. It is normally dependent on fire in its coastal sage scrub habitat to cause opening of cones and dispersal of seeds, but some cones will open under conditions of moderate heat (such as on hot summer days) and some regeneration occurs in unburned habitat. However, fire suppression at Point Lobos is causing low regeneration and prescribed fire treatments will probably be necessary at some time to maintain a wide population age structure.
This species forms both single species and mixed stands. In the latter, its most common associate is another narrow endemic, the Monterey pine (Pinus radiata).
Big Tree
Curiously, none of the big tree data currently available appear to address specimens in their native habitat. Some examples include: (a) height 31 m, dbh 433 cm; in Pescadero County, CA (American Forests 2000); (b) height 48 m, dbh 122 cm, in San Francisco, CA (4); (c) height 36 m, dbh 320 cm, in Strete Ralegh, Devon, Great Britain (Mitchell et al. 1990); (d) a specimen 500 cm in diameter in Pukekura Park, New Zealand (IDS 1996); and (e) height 48 m, dbh 148 cm, in Tauranga, New Zealand (Burstall & Sale 1984).Oldest
A ranger at Point Lobos told me it lives 300 years. No further information.Dendrochronology
No record as of March 1998.Ethnobotany
Observations
The species is widely planted as an ornamental in California and often elsewhere in North America and Europe. In its native range, it is abundant and easily seen at the Point Lobos State Reserve a few miles south of Monterey on State Route 1. A Web search will reveal much information about the Reserve.Remarks
Citations
[IDS] International Dendrology Society Yearbook 1996, page 92.back | Cupressus | Cupressaceae | home
This page is from the Gymnosperm Database
URL: http://www.conifers.org/cu/cup/macrocarpa.htm
Edited by Christopher J. Earle
Last modified on 31-Mar-2000