Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
| Chamaecyparis nootkatensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Width: | 20' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (common name: nootka cypress)
Propagation: Seed - sow March/April in a seedbed outdoors[1]. The seed is best sown in pots in a frame[K]. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. One month warm then one month cold stratification has produced good results[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings in late summer or autumn in sandy soil in a cold frame[3][4][5]. Difficult, it may be best done in late winter to early spring[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils and situations, but prefers a moist deep loamy soil and a sheltered position[3][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Survives on dry alkaline soils[5]. Does not grow well on peat or shallow chalky soils[4]. Growth of trees is hardly affected by a lack of phosphate in the soil. Plants are moderately shade tolerant, especially when young[6][5]. Plants are tolerant of atmospheric pollution according to one report[5], whilst another says that they do not do well in a polluted atmosphere[3].
Plants are hardy to about -35c, they also tolerate low summer temperatures[5].
A very polymorphic species, there are many named varieties[5].
This species establishes well and grows fairly quickly when young[4]. Trees can reach 20 metres tall in 35 years but growth slows as the trees get older[7]. It is cultivated as a timber tree in Europe[8]. Trees in the wild can live for 1,000 years or longer[9], one specimen is believed to be 3,500 years old[10]. This longevity is probably due to the presence of toxic chemical compounds from microscopic fungi concentrated in the heartwood[9].
The wood and foliage have an acrid odour[9]. The bruised foliage releases a smell of turpentine[11].
Favoured by many birds for roosting, high cover and especially for nesting, large specimens of this tree help to attract songbirds to the garden[5].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].
Range: Western N. America - Alaska to Oregon.
Habitat: Woodlands from sea-level to 1,000 metres[12][13]. The best specimens are found in the deep soil of cool wet coastal forests[9].
Medicinal: The plant has been used in sweat baths for treating rheumatism and arthritis[14].
An infusion of the branch tips has been used as a wash for sores and swellings[14].
A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to sores[14].
The soft bark has been used as a cover for poultices[14].
Usage: Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[5] They are very tolerant of clipping so long as this does not extend into the brown barked wood since trees cannot regenerate from this[5]. Any trimming should be done in the summer[5].
The fibre of the inner bark is fine and soft, it is pounded and spun then used for making blankets, clothing, capes, mats etc[15][9][14]. Torn into pieces, it can be used as bandages or for washing babies[9].
The finely shredded inner bark can be used as a tinder[14].
Wood - hard, very durable, fragrant with an agreeable resinous odour, close grained, has low-shrinkage, is somewhat brittle, but does not splinter. Easily worked, it is used for carving, cabinet work, making boats, implements etc[3][16][17][13][15][18][9].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Does not tolerate environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: Cupressus nootkatensis. Thuyopsis borealis.
Links
References
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Lauriault, Jean. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada. Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1989.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.