VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Cupressus macrocarpa | Monterey Cypress 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Monterey cypress wood is durable [10,11,22].  Natural durability of
heartwood of Monterey cypress is high, 10 to 15 years' ground life and
over 15 years above ground [22].  It is suitable for a wide range of
exterior uses including joinery, shingles, and boats.  Possible interior
uses include moulding and panelling [11,22].  Cypress shelterbelts
provide good firewood.  Most cypress species develop a large proportion
of heartwood, which splits well, dries quickly, and is clean burning.
Monterey cypress wood is moderately fast burning because of its low to
medium density [11,22].  As cypress woods are prone to sparking, they
are recommended only for enclosed fires [22].

Monterey cypress is planted in Africa and New Zealand for lumber and
pulp production [14].  


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Rodents and deer consume cypress seedlings.  Cypress are considered
undesirable forage for livestock, although young plants are occasionally
browsed [34].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Monterey cypress has been planted widely for ornament, hedges, and
windbreaks in the Pacific States, Europe, South America, Australia, New
Zealand, and the Falkland Islands [17,18,22].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Monterey cypress is considered rare in its range.  Portions of the
Monterey cypress grove on Monterey Peninsula have been destroyed for
housing developments and golf courses [2,3].  

Grazing and trampling by livestock are detrimental to cypress seedlings
[2,3].    

In Tasmania, ingestion of foliage of Monterey cypress trees has been
associated with abortion in cattle and cerebral leucomalacia of the
aborted fetus [26].  

Monterey cypress seedlings are susceptible to damping-off fungi [2,33].
Monterey cypress is highly susceptible to coryneum canker (Coryneum
cardinale), which can kill trees.  Coryneum canker (cypress canker) may
spread naturally by rain, wind, birds, rodents, and bark beetles, which
disseminate fungal spores [7].  Coryneum canker has eliminated some
inland plantations of Monterey cypress [14].  Monterey cypress trees on
the coast seem resistant to coryneum canker possibly because of the
constant spray of salt, which decreases fungal spore viability [33].

One species of bark beetle (Ernobius conicola) infests green and dry
cones of Monterey cypress and dead branches of the same host.  It only
infests trees found in the two native populations on Monterey Peninsula.
Two moth species (Laspeyresia cupressana and Henricus macrocarpara) are
associated with the bark beetle in 2-year-old Monterey cypress cones.
The larvae of these insects can cause damage to the seeds [7,8].

In park plantings in San Francisco, Monterey cypress trees grow rapidly
and are overmature by 70 years of age.  Many have root rot, excessive
lean, large dead branches, and a small proportion of live crown [5].  

Methods for establishing Monterey cypress in New Zealand are described
by Glass {10].  

Related categories for Species: Cupressus macrocarpa | Monterey Cypress