Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana is a tree in the family Cupressaceae, known by the name Lawson’s Cypress in the horticultural trade, or Port Orford Cedar in its native range (although not a true cedar). C. lawsoniana is native to the southwest of Oregon and the far northwest of California, occurring from sea level up to 1,500 meter (4,900 feet) altitude in mountain valleys, often along streams. It is a large evergreen coniferous tree, regularly reaching 50-70 meter (200 feet) tall, with feathery foliage in flat sprays, usually somewhat waxy pale blue-green in colour. The leaves are scale-like, 3-5 millimeter long, with narrow white markings on the underside, and produced on somewhat flattened shoots. The seed cones are globose, 7-14 millimeter diameter, with 6-10 scales, green at first, maturing brown in early fall, 6-8 months after pollination. The male cones are 3-4 millimeter long, dark red, turning brown after pollen release in early spring. The bark is reddish-brown, and fibrous to scaly in vertical strips. This tree is valued for its wood and is farmed for that purpose. Due to its ultimate size it is not often used in residential gardens.