BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Cupressus macrocarpa | Monterey Cypress 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Monterey cypress is a native, evergreen tree.  In native groves, trees
on the coastal fringe are severely sculptured and distorted.  A short
distance inland, an erect form and light branching are apparent, showing
that this cypress, although capable of enduring wind and salt-blasting,
responds well to shelter [22,34].  Monterey cypress grows to 82 feet (25
m) tall.  Mature leaves are 0.08 inch (2 mm) long, although they can be
up to 0.4 inch (10 mm) on vigorous shoots [2,23,34].  Ovulate cones are
solitary, up to 1.4 inches (35 mm) long. Staminate cones are 0.24 (6 mm)
long [12,23,34].  The bark is thick and fibrous, becoming furrowed with
age [23,34].  A well-defined taproot and numerous laterals are formed
the first year [14,34].  Naturalists at the Point Lobos State Reserve
have estimated the maximum age of Monterey cypress at 200 to 300 years
[33].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Monterey cypress reproduces exclusively from seed.  Cone production is
abundant.  Staminate cone production begins on trees that are 6 to 7
years old [34].  Ovulate cone production begins on trees that are less
than 10 years of age [5].  The cones require 2 years to mature [2,33]
and can contain 140 seeds [14].  The cones of Monterey cypress remain
closed for only a few years after maturity; seed dispersal is a
continuous process and can occur without fire [20,35].  Seeds maintain
viability for up to 4 years on trees [5].  Seed dispersal is primarily
by wind and rain [8,33].

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 [2,33].  Seedlings are sensitive to
excessive moisture [34].  
   


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
In native stands, Monterey cypress is confined to rocky, granitic soils
of coastal headlands and bluffs exposed to nearly constant onshore winds
[13,35].  These acidic, sandy soils generally have a pH of 4.5 to 5.5
[33].  Monterey cypress occurs at elevations from sea level to 100 feet
(30 m) [12,24].


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 [2,33].  According to Armstrong [2],
cypress trees of southern California are very sensitive to lack of
light, losing their foliage when growing in shade.  

Although chaparral species inhibit the establishment of cypress
seedlings, few chaparral species are able to compete on infertile soils
where Monterey cypress is found [2,3].  Pines may outcompete Monterey
cypress where they are found together [34].  


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
In California, growth and development of Monterey cypress cones begins
in January and extends to December of the same year.  In the second year
of development, cones are pollinated in February and March [8].  Seeds
mature 15 to 18 months after pollination [14].  

Related categories for Species: Cupressus macrocarpa | Monterey Cypress