Water Requirements for Italian Cypress

Water Needs

• The tree prefers to be planted in a well-drained soil, and established trees are highly drought tolerant, able to tolerate extended periods without water. Keep the soil average to dry once trees are established. Seeds, however, need a continually moist soil to germinate. Water the newly planted trees only periodically. An average level of moisture in the root zone helps the young trees grow faster. Italian cypress is among the trees that require minimal attention to flourish.

Description

• The tree is recognized by its extremely slender, pencil-like form and a mature height of up to 80 feet with a mature spread of about 8 feet in its native habitat. Cultivated trees do not grow this tall. The tree is also commonly called Mediterranean cypress. The evergreen, dark-green, 2-inch-long, fine-textured foliage grows in the form of needles and retains its dark shade all through the year. Italian cypress trees produce cones only when grown in regions with less severe, cool winters.

Cultural Requirements

• Plant the Italian cypress tree in a fertile soil and in areas of full sun. Italian cypress tolerates a range of soil types including acidic and alkaline. The tree is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8 through 10 and is easily propagated with seed or cuttings. Keep the soil on the dry side in larger trees. The slow-growing tree is tolerant of high winds and mild levels of atmospheric salt, making it well-adapted for use in coastal areas.

Problems

• Though the Italian cypress is resistant to verticillium wilt, a potentially lethal disease, it is prone to other pest related and pathogenic issues. These include mites and bagworms. Inspect trees regularly to catch infestation in the early stages before serious tree damage. Growing the tree in heavy, poorly drained soil makes the Italian cypress highly prone to infection from the root rot-causing fungi. Another possible pathogenic disorder is canker disease.