Family: Cupressaceae, Cypress view all from this family

Description Medium-sized evergreen tree with large cones and with symmetrical crown when young or where protected; often becoming irregular and flat-topped when exposed to high winds.
Height: 60-80' (18-24 m).
Diameter: 2' (0.6 m); rarely 4' (1.2 m).
Leaves: opposite in 4 rows; more than 1/16" (1.5 mm) long. Blunt, scalelike; bright green, usually without gland-dot.
Bark: gray, rough, fibrous.
Twigs: 4-angled, stout, irregular arranged.
Cones: 1-1 3/8" (2.5-3.5 cm) long; longer than broad, brown, with 8-12 rounded, stout-pointed, hard scales; remaining closed and attached. Many irregular seeds 1/4-5/16" (6-8 mm) long, shiny dark brown.

Habitat Exposed granitic headlands and sheltered areas on seacoast, subject to salt spray and winds.

Range Confined to 2 groves near Monterey and Carmel in W. central California.

Discussion The gnarled, picturesque Monterey Cypresses growing on sea cliffs are a favorite photographic subject. The 2 native groves are protected within Point Lobos Reserve and Del Monte Forest at Point Cypress. It is widely planted as an ornamental, hedge, and windbreak along the California coastline and grown in forest plantations for timber in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.