This is an Arizona Cypress, a conifer from the mountains of the southwest. Very drought and heat resistant. It will need good drainage and full sun. Generally this is considered a Z6 or 7 to Z9 or 10 tree. Blue Ice (a cultivar) is reported to be the most cold resistant of the Arizona Cypress trees. Someone else will have to state if it is Z5 tolerant.

Dave in Kansas (5b) grows it very successfully. I haven't heard of anyone else in low zones attempting to grow it.

It would be hit and miss. Hopefully a home run.

Dax

i suppose it will all depend on your little micro climate..

mine died after 3 winters.. each winter taking more if it ...

finally.. it got so ugly.. i had to put it out of my misery ...

if you want to try.. go for it... but i personally.. would not experiment with a group of 3 .... since budget matters to me ...

ken

Baker Cypress (Cupressus bakeri) seems to be much more cold tolerant than Arizona Cypress, there is a thirty foot specimen growing happily in Denver (also a zone 5). It has similar attributes and smooth red bark but the foliage smells much nicer. Available through only a few nurseries, forest farm being one of them.

I can confirm that Cupressus bakeri grows very well where I live in zone 6a. It has never had any winter damage and it actually grows rather fast. I got mine from Forest Farm I believe back in 2003 and it was maybe four feet and now it must be nearly twelve feet or so. It also has a nice and interesting conifer scent.

Living fossil...your plant doesnt seem to have any trouble with the high summer humidity? Where is it planted? I know of a nursery that will be offering plugstock of this species at 5/$10.00 in the fall. Can you post pictures of your plant?

I am growing 4 Cupressus glabra in Z.5/b. I'll show you 3 close together. The key to success is to afford them some protection. Mine are backed up to Juniperus virginiana for contrast and protection from north winds. They have all seen -5F. with never any damage.

I have never had deer damage. Last winter deer census and it was determined we had 148 per square mile at our local park. They are now culled back to 38 per square mile. Still to many.

Buy them and enjoy...

Dave Left-right...'Raywoods Weeping' 'Blue Ice'
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'Blue Ice' again center Picea omorika 'Skytrails' then Cupressus glabra 'Blue Spire'
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What the heck...as long as I have the camera out I'll throw in the other also. Cupressus glabra 'Blue Pyramid'
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Dave, is that a dwarf Japanese maple under Skytrails?

Thanks for the information guys. I was told Cupressus bakeri was possible here - probably micro-climated, somehow. I've got a ton of seed.

Dax

Yes Dax it's Acer Palmatum 'Murasaki kiyohime'

Here's a closeup.

Dave
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Seen them in 5B central Ohio and they look okay, thou I don't know if any have been around for years. One nursery carries them, the biggest local nursery never carries them as far as I've seen.

Bought a 30" small tree and it seems to have survived winter fine.

I ordered a tube of Cupressus bakeri from Forest Farm this afternoon.
I'm going to try it in a very protected spot and see how it does. I've always wanted to grow a cupressus. I do pretty well with other zone 5 things, so this plant has as good a chance as anything.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Mike

Theforestprimeval,

It has never had any problems in the winter or summer here. I wouldn't say it is in overly protected spot as there is not much blocking the northwest wind from it. Although it is surrounded by a few deciduous bushes and a coupler smaller conifers at a bit of distance.

Wow, Greenthumb, good luck growing that in 4a. I hope it works out. :)

I've had Blue Ice in Cleveland, OH for over 10 years. Its been hardy here through our worst winter in 15-20 years when in January of 2009 we had two nights between -12 and -15F. Its planted more frequently now. Some of the ones that werent established burned a bit, but I didnt see any of them killed. Its a pretty plant, but its not my favorite plant in that it falls over easily in windy sites. I've heard there is a problem with the grafting compatabilty with putting Cuppressus on incorrect understock.

Summer humidity isn't a problem either. They (C. arizonica/glabra) do great here and don't seem to get foliar diseases (Cercospora/Cryptosporidium etc.) that affects Leyland cypress so terribly. The most common cultivars here are 'Tarheel Blue', 'Blue Ice' and 'Sapphire'. I have had them for living Christmas trees for the last 2 years. Unfortunately, I had to move the first one planted for my son and it died after transplanting (grew too much the first year!).