Lemon cypress trees are no more challenging to grow than a typical citrus variety. They are, however, one of the best-smelling plants on the planet. They are so fragrant that “lemon” and “cypress” can interchangeably. These trees make great showy hedges and screens with a wide range of uses in landscapes or timber production. Growing lemon cypress is not difficult if you follow good care practices for both soil and planting techniques.
Lemon cypress is a hardy tree that will grow in partial shade and filtered shade. It does best in zones eight or warmer. Cypress trees are usually propagated by grafting and seed, and there is no general rule for caring for the seedlings. The lemon cypress seed germinates easily and quickly but can be tricky to grow correctly.
- Cool-Season Tree
Lemon Cypress has moderate cold tolerance, and the tree is not prone to blossom-end rot or scab. In addition, the lemon cypress tree shade tree will tolerate around 20 °F (minus six °C) on a windy day. There are also reports of lemon cypress trees being grown in Zones 5-9.
- Slow Growth Rate
Unlike many citrus tree varieties, the lemon cypress does not grow fast. At the height of its growth, it is around 24 to 30 feet high and 8 to 10 feet wide. The lemon cypress has a medium growth rate – a rate that is just enough to earn good money in the timber market.
- Fine Texture
Lemon Cypress is described as being very fine in texture compared with other trees of similar size, making it more suitable for growing in urban gardens and landscaping applications. In addition, its fine texture allows it to become a shade tree that looks good in residential landscapes. It has also been grown as a street tree in tropical areas, making it an efficient street tree.
- Practicality
The lemon cypress is also very practical because it will grow well on almost any soil type and is relatively easy to care for. It is used extensively as an ornamental tree, timber, and hedging stock and grows well in the deep shade of citrus groves or high-density thickets.
- Flowering
The lemon cypress has small, fragrant flowers in yellow to pink shades. The plants have one to five flowers per stalk, and they bloom from April through June. There are usually around 100 seeds per fruit.
- Leaf Design
The lemon cypress tree leaf is lovely in shape, consisting of a single layer of leaflets with a rough surface that gives the tree its name. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs on the stem and have a dark green color.
Gardening and landscaping with lemon cypress is an absolute pleasure. Lemon cypress trees are popular as screens, hedges, and specimen trees. They are also excellent in containers or hanging baskets. In addition, they can be grown in various soils and climates, making them ideal for landscapes, parks, street trees, or even indoors.