Hesperocyparis macrocarpa

The Monterey cypress, scientifically named Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (formerly Cupressus macrocarpa), is a conifer in the cypress family that grows only in California. It is a glacial relict, meaning its natural range today is limited to two small, isolated stands near Carmel: Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and Point Lobos. During the last ice age, this tree likely formed a much larger forest that stretched farther north and south.

Description

This medium-sized evergreen often grows irregularly and develops a flat top due to the strong winds in its native habitat. Under ideal conditions, it can reach 40 meters (133 feet) tall, with a trunk up to 2.5 meters (over 8 feet) in diameter. Its dense sprays of bright green, scale-like leaves (2–5 mm long) grow on rounded shoots and release a strong lemony scent when crushed. Seedlings under a year old have needle-like leaves 4–8 mm long.

The seed cones are round or oblong, 20–35 mm long, with 6 to 14 scales; they start green and turn brown about 20–24 months after pollination. The pollen cones are 3–5 mm long and release pollen in late winter or early spring. The name macrocarpa comes from Greek and means "with large fruit."

Despite claims that some trees may be up to 2,000 years old due to their large trunks, the oldest confirmed age from physical evidence is only 284 years. Botanist Willis Linn Jepson noted that claims of 1,000 to 2,000 years in seaside literature lack real data and likely cater to a desire for superlatives.

Few trees in the wild live past 100 years. However, many early introductions to New Zealand around 1860 still survive, with felling being their main cause of death. One example is the 160-year-old St. Barnabas Church tree in Stoke, Nelson, New Zealand.

Taxonomy

German botanist Karl Theodor Hartweg first described the species in manuscript, but the formal description was published by George Gordon in 1849, who attributed the name Cupressus macrocarpa to Hartweg. Hartweg noted he could not venture far from Monterey for fear of being suspected of political motives by locals. His paper reached London in May 1847. Based on genetic evidence, New World Cupressus species, including this one, have been moved to the genus Hesperocyparis, as they are not closely related to Old World Cupressus.