BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Cupressus forbesii | Tecate Cypress 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Tecate cypress is a native, evergreen tree with a bushy growth form.
Most trees are multitrunked, generally without a dominant leader
[10,25,40].  Tecate cypress generally grows from 20 to 23 feet (6-7 m)
tall, but can be as tall as 33 feet (10 m) [10,40].  On sites with a
high cypress seedling density, Tecate cypress can be dwarfed and may
only reach heights of 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m) at maturity [33,39].  Mature
leaves are 0.06 inch (1.5 mm) long, although they can be up to 0.4 inch
(10 mm) long on vigorous shoots [40].  Ovulate cones are solitary and up
to 1.2 inches (30 mm) long.  Staminate cones are 0.12 to 0.16 inch (3-4
mm) long [10,24,40].  The bark is nonfibrous, exfoliating, and only
about 0.4 inch (1 cm) thick [10,40].  Tecate cypress forms a
well-defined taproot and numerous laterals the first year [13,40].  It
can survive in a vigorous condition to an age of about 90 years [41].
The oldest known Tecate cypress tree is located in the Sierra Peak grove
and is 209 years old [39].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Tecate cypress reproduces exclusively from seed.  Cone production is
abundant.  Staminate cones are produced on trees that are 6 to 7 years
old [40].  Ovulate cones are produced on trees that are 5 to 7 years of
age or older, but production is sporadic until age 30 [7,40].  Maximum
cone production occurs on trees that are 40 to 50 years old [7,14,41].
The cones require 2 years to mature [1].  The cones of California
cypress are closed; they usually persist on the tree until opened by the
heat of a fire or from desiccation due to age [13,39].  The cones open,
however, when mechanically detached from the tree, with the resinous
seals breaking as the cones dry.  In 1964, 167 unopened Tecate cypress
cones were collected from Sierra Peak; 2 years later, 58 percent of the
cones had opened and shed seeds while 42 percent remained unopened.
Most of the unopened cones had slightly separated scales with trapped
seeds.  The trapped seeds probably lost their viability because of
desiccation.  Attached cones have remained closed for over 8 years.
Sierra Peak Tecate cypress cones, some of them estimated to be 25 to 30
years old, were seen partially enveloped by exfoliating bark [39].
Seeds are shed gradually over several months after the cones open [39].
Seeds shed from detached cones rarely result in seedling establishment,
usually due to lack of a suitable seedbed [1].  Seed dispersal is
primarily by wind and rain [39].

Cypress seeds require bare mineral soil for germination and
establishment.  Seedling mortality is high on shaded sites with abundant
litter because of damping-off fungi [1,39].  Seedlings are sensitive to
excessive moisture [40].  


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Tecate cypress occurs on coarse, rocky, clay or sand soils.  Parent
materials include sandstone, granite, and conglomerate [1,40].  Soils
are usually well drained.  Tecate cypress is commonly found on dry
slopes, exposed hillsides, and ridgetops, but also grows along
streambanks and arroyos [7,10,21].  It is generally found at elevations
from 1,500 to 5,000 feet (450-1500 m), but occurs at 8,000 feet (2,425
m) on Guatay Mountain [1,10,24].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

Site requirements for cypress seedlings are typical of those for pioneer
conifers.  Seedlings are shade intolerant and survive best in full
sunlight on bare mineral soil [1,39].  The primary period for Tecate
cypress population expansion is during the first 1 or 2 postfire years
[41].  According to Armstrong [1], cypress trees of southern California
are sensitive to lack of light, losing their foliage when growing in
shade.

Chaparral species inhibit the establishment of cypress seedlings on
most sites due to competition.  However, many chaparral species are less
able to compete on infertile soils where Tecate cypress is often found.
On these sites, shrubs are stunted and sparse [1,2].  


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Tecate cypress growing in the Eddy Arboretum in Placerville, California,
sheds pollen in October and November [13].  On Tecate Peak, male
strobili are mature by mid-October.  Pollination occurs in late summer
and fall, 6 months after other southern California cypress species [1].
Seeds mature 15 to 18 months after pollination.  Ovulate cones remain
closed until opened by heat or age [1,39].

Related categories for Species: Cupressus forbesii | Tecate Cypress