Trees We Care For: Cypress Trees

Cypress trees are beloved around the world for their ability to provide shade, privacy, and beauty to landscapes. And while there aren’t any cypress species that are native to Michigan, many are commonly planted in our region — you may even have one growing on your residential or commercial property. 

In an effort to help you provide your cypress trees with the care and support they require, we’ll share some of the most important information homeowners and commercial property managers need to know about these wonderful trees. 

Cypress Trees: The Basics

The name “cypress” is applied to a variety of different trees, which often leads to considerable confusion about their identity and care requirements. In fact, there are even many popular trees that are known as “false cypresses,” despite looking quite similar to those regarded as “true cypresses.”

But because these taxonomic details are rarely important to homeowners and property managers, we’ll keep things simple and focus on all of the most common Michigan trees that include the word cypress in their name. 

Bald Cypress 

The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a large conifer that is native to the southeastern U.S., where it grows in swamps, floodplains, and riparian areas. It may reach 100 feet in height when growing in southern swamps, but it usually only reaches about 50– to 70-feet in height in Michigan. 

However, the bald cypress is an adaptable species that can often thrive far from water if provided with supplemental water during establishment. Somewhat unusual by conifer standards, the bald cypress is a deciduous tree that sheds its needles in the fall. It is available in several cultivated varieties, including some with enhanced cold tolerance.

Nootka Cypress 

Nootka cypress (Callitropsis nootkatensis) is a tall, graceful evergreen that can reach 60 to 90 feet in height when planted in ideal locations. Native to the Pacific Northwest, this species naturally grows in cool, moist coastal and montane forests. Capable of thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, it’s well-suited to Michigan’s cold winter weather. 

There are several Nootka cypress cultivars available, including weeping and compact forms that can provide an aesthetic pop in residential and commercial landscapes. 

Leyland Cypress 

A very popular evergreen that is often celebrated for its value in providing privacy and blocking winds, the Leyland cypress (Callitropsis × leylandii) can reach 60 to 70 feet in height when planted in a sunny, well-drained location. It typically has a broad, pyramidal form and grows quite rapidly — up to 24 inches per year or more. 

A hybrid species, the Leyland cypress is a product of the Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Nootka cypress.  These trees do tend to have shallow root systems, which makes them susceptible to windthrow. Numerous cultivars are available, primarily selected for things like growth rate, density, and color.

Hinoki Cypress 

The Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) typically matures at about 40 to 60 feet in height, though many cultivated forms remain much smaller. It is native to Japan, where it grows in moist, well-drained mountain forests, and it often performs well in Michigan properties. 

A large number of cultivars are available, including dwarf, golden, and compact selections, meaning that homeowners and property managers can select the ideal specimen for their landscape.  

Arizona Cypress 

The somewhat misleadingly named Arizona cypress (Hesperocyparis arizonica) does grow in a few scattered locations in Arizona, but the bulk of its range lies in Mexico. Reaching 40 to 60 feet in height, this species has a narrow, upright growth habit and attractive blue-green foliage. 

Because it is best suited for warm, dry, rocky habitats, it doesn’t always thrive in our region, but many property owners still plant the species. Cultivar availability is limited but includes selections valued for foliage color and improved cold hardiness. 

Sawara Cypress 

The Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is native to Japan, where it grows in well-drained mountain forests with consistent moisture. In Michigan landscapes, it performs best in full sun to partial shade with protection from drying winter winds and consistently moist, well-drained soil.

Speaking of cultivars, it is available in a variety of forms, including threadleaf, dwarf, and colorful ornamental selections. Most of these forms remain smaller than wild specimens, which may reach 60 feet in height. 

Atlantic White Cedar 

The Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is a narrow, conical evergreen that commonly grows up to 40 or 60 feet tall. Although they’re not planted terribly frequently, these trees have dense, scale-like foliage and a naturally narrow form that makes them well-suited for screens and naturalized plantings.

Native to the eastern United States, this species tends to grow in acidic wetlands, bogs, and swamps. Cultivars are available in limited numbers, with many being selected for their compact form or bluish foliage. 

How to Care for Your Cypress Trees: A Michigan Homeowner’s Guide

No matter which cypress species you have, it’s important to provide them with the kind of care and support they need to thrive. The best way to do this is by enlisting the help of a professional arborist; after all, there are many types of tree care that are simply beyond the capabilities of homeowners and property managers.  

However, there are several things you can do to help give your trees the best chance of growing well and remaining healthy. 

1. Add a layer of mulch beneath your trees. A 2- to 4-inch-thick layer of natural mulch (not rocks) will help to add organic material to the soil, moderate soil temperatures, and improve soil structure. Just be sure that you don’t pile mulch up against the tree’s trunk — that can lead to decay. 

2. Protect the tree’s roots. Root damage can seriously harm a tree’s health and compromise its stability, potentially making it susceptible to complete collapse. This means it is vital that you protect the roots from things like mower damage, foot traffic, and construction activities. 

3. Provide supplemental water when necessary. Once established, most cypresses commonly planted in Michigan will not require a great deal of extra water. However, it’s important to provide additional water in the first few years following transplantation, as well as during extended summer droughts. 

4. Fertilize your trees if necessary. Fertilizer can be helpful for providing your trees with the resources they need to thrive and correcting some soil chemistry issues. But you shouldn’t apply fertilizer haphazardly; only add fertilizer after conducting a soil test, so you can select a product that’ll address the specific deficiencies present.  

5. Monitor your trees closely. Likely the most important thing you can do to support your tree’s long-term health and ensure it remains safe is to have regular inspections, which will help you spot problems early, when corrective actions may still yield good results. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, contact a professional arborist immediately. 

Trimming & Pruning Cypress Trees in Michigan

Most cypress trees will require pruning at several points during their lives. This includes:

• During the early years of the tree’s life. Cypress trees don’t always require as much structural pruning to impart good form during their formative years but competing leaders and problematic branch junctions should be addressed early, before they can develop into serious issues. 
• Periodically throughout its maturity. You’ll want to have your cypress trees professionally pruned once every three to five years. During these pruning sessions, the arborist should remove any dead, dying, diseased, or damaged limbs to help keep your tree safe and looking its best.   
• Any time it becomes necessary for health or safety reasons. Not every tree will develop hazardous or otherwise undesirable branching habits, but many will. Accordingly, you’ll want to watch your tree closely and contact a professional arborist at the first sign of trouble. 

Additionally, while pruning (the selective removal of branches with the goal of supporting the tree’s health) is always preferable to trimming (the relatively arbitrary removal of branches to satisfy human desires), trimming is warranted in some cases. 

For example, if you are trying to grow a row of Leyland cypresses as a hedge, you’ll need to trim them about once per year. Just use caution — while Leyland cypresses can tolerate this kind of repeated trimming, most trees will not. 

Common Cypress Tree Problems in Michigan

Part of the reason that cypress trees are so popular in Michigan is that they often do well, despite not being native to the area. However, they are vulnerable to a few problems you’ll want to watch for, including:

• Winter Injury: Cold temperatures, drying winds, and sun exposure can cause needle browning, dieback, and split bark, especially on Leyland, Arizona, and other marginally hardy cypress species.
• Snow and Ice Damage: Upright, dense forms can split or bend under heavy snow loads if not properly spaced or maintained.
• Salt and pH Stress: Road salt exposure and alkaline soils can cause foliage discoloration and reduced vigor, especially for Atlantic white cedar and Sawara cypress.
• Canker Diseases: Leyland cypress is particularly susceptible to fungal cankers that cause branch dieback, thinning, and eventual decline, often made worse by stress from poor drainage or overcrowding.
• Poor Drainage: Many cypress species struggle in heavy, compacted, or poorly drained Michigan soils, leading to root rot and overall decline (bald cypress is a notable exception and tolerates wet sites).

Signs Your Cypress Trees May Require Removal

In Michigan, cypress trees usually remain medium-sized trees, which serves to somewhat limit the damage they may cause. You don’t usually have to worry about a 40-foot cypress tree destroying your home the way you would a 100-foot pine. 

However, they can still present safety hazards, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for any of the following signs, which suggest that your tree may need to be removed:

• Mushrooms or Conks: Mushrooms and conks are signs of fungal activity in the tree’s trunk, branches, or roots. Some fungi can cause a tree to become weak and decayed, predisposing it to failure. 
• Hollows or Cracks: Hollows and cracks can reduce the structural integrity of a tree — particularly when they’re large. Additionally, hollows are often associated with internal decay, which will weaken it even further. 
• Branch Dieback: Branch dieback (the progressive death of a branch from the tip to the base) is often associated with diseases. Some of these diseases may also reduce the tree’s stability and increase its risk profile. 
• Increased Lean: While some trees develop natural leans slowly that don’t present significant risks, trees that begin leaning suddenly are almost always at risk of imminent failure and should be addressed immediately. 
• Soil Disturbances: Cracking, shifting, or mounding soil can indicate that the soil has lost its structural integrity, which means the tree could fall at any moment. Stay clear of the tree and call for professional help at once. 

Additionally, it’s important to note that trees planted in clusters or rows often help shield each other from strong winds. So, when a tree on the outside of a group dies or is removed, its neighbors no longer benefit from the protection it used to provide. This ultimately means that losing one tree may lead to the loss of others. 

Treemendous Tree Care: Providing Cypress Tree Care in Southeast Michigan

While there are certainly things you can do for your cypress trees, you’ll need professional assistance from expert arborists to ensure it looks its best for years to come. The Treemendous Tree Care team would love to provide this kind of support and deliver the kind of tree care you deserve. 

Since 2019, we’ve been providing industry-leading tree-care services for residents in Waldenburg, Sterling Heights, St. Claire Shores, and the rest of the Metro Detroit area. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate and see the Treemendous Tree Care difference yourself!  

Sources & References

• Conifers.org – “Callitropsis (Cypress Genus)”
  A detailed conifer database entry covering the taxonomy, species information, and distinguishing traits of the Callitropsis genus.
  https://www.conifers.org/cu/Callitropsis.php
• Conifers.org – “Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)”
  A comprehensive profile outlining species characteristics, distribution, and taxonomy within the Chamaecyparis genus.
  https://www.conifers.org/cu/Chamaecyparis.php
• Michigan State University Extension – “Baldcypress”
  An extension resource providing information on baldcypress tree identification, ecology, and landscape considerations.
  https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/baldcypress
• USDA Forest Service – “Atlantic White Cedar Silvics”
  A scientific species overview detailing the growth characteristics, environmental preferences, and silvicultural information for Atlantic white cedar.
  https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/atlantic-white-cedar