Family

• The majority of trees known as cypress are in the Cupressa and Chamaecyparis genera; forms vary between trees and shrubs. Other types of cypress in the Cupressaceae family include the cypress pines (Actinostrobus and Callitris), Patagonian cypress (Fitzroya cupressoides) and Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata).
  
  

Classification

• Classification of these two types of trees has historically caused taxonomy headaches. According to the Gymnosperm Database, Cupressa and Chamaecyparis are not closely related, genetically speaking, and the various species and subspecies have been moved around a great deal.
  
  Therefore, taxonomists vary on what they consider a true species or subspecies; cultivation for color and shape has further clouded the boundaries.
  
  

Similarities

• Both Cupressa and Chamaecyparis trees and shrubs are evergreen. Seeds are contained within globe-shaped or oval cones. Their leaves resemble tree leaves, not pine needles, with many individual "fronds." These fronds look more like needles until the plant reaches 1 to 2 years old, turning thicker and more scaly with age.
  
  Shapes vary from tall columns and a classic pyramidal appearance to the rugged look of the "lone cypress" on 17-Mile Drive near Monterey, California. Clinging to a rock above the Pacific Ocean, it is the official symbol of Pebble Beach and has bare branches topped with flat platforms of leaves.
  
  

Differences

• Cupressa trees and shrubs are evergreen and native to temperate regions including North and Central America and southern China. They grow from 15 feet to 120 feet tall. Up to 28 subgroups of Cupressa exist, including true species and subspecies.
  
  Chamaecyparis grows from 60 feet to 210 feet tall. There are five or six species within this genus. These trees grow in coastal North America, Japan and Taiwan.
  
  

Uses

• Cypresses are grown for decorative landscaping; tall and slender Cupressus sempervirens, or graveyard cypress, is the tree of choice for many cemeteries.
  
  Cypress is also grown for its lumber. Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) is durable and is used in boats, closet doors, joinery and roof shingles. It also makes effective firewood and is pulped for paper.
  
  

Problems

• According to "The Diseases and Pests of Ornamental Plants" by Pascal Pompey Pirone, cypresses suffer from fungus-borne canker (Coryneum cardinale) and Cystospora canker, or needle blight.
  
  Cypress trees are attacked by cypress aphids and mealybugs, moth caterpillars and bark scale as well as a variety of other fungal infections, scales and cankers.