When I was hiking, the first one I saw I stopped to take a picture of it because of its stunning form. Only when I went up close to see what it was did I recognize it as the rough-barked Arizona Cypress of the Chisos. I have never seen any other examples of rough-barked Arizona Cypress so I cannot compare the Chisos Cypress to them. I noted every Chisos Cypress from the cabin on the Boot Canyon trail up the creek til there were no more Cypress, only Pinyon Pine. They were consistently the same, no exfoliating bark but light-colored ridged bark that clung tight to the tree. Will try to post the pictures I have this weekend. Will petition the National Park Service to make the seeds of these trees available for limited harvest and the Texas Forestry Service to add them to their list of seedlings they raise. They must be planted in other places to avoid a one forest fire wipe-out of their genetics.

Ooooh, I love this post. I recently moved to Colorado (Littleton) in late August from my home state of Michigan and was wondering where all the good nurseries were! There a few small ones by me. As for seeds, I like to order from Jung's, Baker Seeds, and Burpee (their catalogs, like most seed catalogs, have much more variety than what is sold in stores). I will also order from an odd catalog or two I get, but the ones I named are where I order the most. For live plants, I like High Country Gardens and David Austin. Four years ago I ordered one of Jung's perennial gardens for sun. They came in 3 inch pots and I wasn't sure they would make it through the Michigan winter. Three summers in, I had the most lush, beautiful perennial garden I could hope for. I will definitely take the gamble on Jung's perennial garden again once I find a permanent home in CO. At least I am in same zone here as I was in MI so hopefully I will have the same success!

Thank you, mindshift, for sharing this additional helpful information. Excellent to know it can handle full sun to shade. Not many plants offers such a range of acceptable light requirements. I've never met anyone who has actually grown this plant nor have I seen one, only photos. I winter sowed my seed and the seedlings are just now developing their first true leaves. I read somewhere that to pinch the growing tips in June to help create more stems and buds so I'm going to try that. That might shorten them a bit and keep them from getting so tall and awkward looking. I'm planning on planting some in a dappled shade bed with native Spicebush, which I grow as a host plant for the Spicebush Butterflies. Thinking of trying some more Frostweed plants among liatris ligulstylis - Meadow Blazing Star, with something shorter growing in front. So much fun to try new things! :-) And you are right about trying to save native plants that will be destroyed by development. I asked for and received permission to transplant a rare native milkweed, A. variegata, from a commercial development site. If you don't know who the owner is, sometimes speaking to one of the workers on site will help. If they don't feel comfortable giving permission, they might pass along the request. Mary

It's understandable that Taos Pueblo requires a camera permit. There are hordes of people traipsing through this ancient home and ceremonial site on a daily basis, and the required permit is but one way for the Puebloans to try to exact some control over how visitors conduct themselves. You would truly be amazed at the audacious acts that entirely too many "guests" commit while visiting. Those who cherish the pueblo have a right to expect respect -- to not have photos taken of people and places where they have not given consent -- and this is one way to drive that point home. (One doesn't have to buy the permit in order to visit the pueblo, however.) Acoma Pueblo also requires a paid camera permit (most active pueblos do). I don't mind paying these fees one bit, considering that it has allowed me to experience cultural ways that are on the verge of extinction. There is so much beauty, mystery, and magic in these places IMO.