Sargent Cypress, cones and needles © David Cavagnaro

pyramidal

Description Evergreen tree with narrow crown, becoming very broad where exposed.
Height: 30-50' (9-15 m).
Diameter: 3' (0.9 m).
Leaves: opposite in 4 rows; more than 1/16" (1.5 mm) long. Scalelike; dull green, often with gland-dot.
Bark: gray, dark brown, or blackish; rough and furrowed, thick and fibrous.
Twigs: 4-angled, stout, stiff, branching in all directions.
Cones: mostly 3/4-1" (2-2.5 cm) long; variable in shape, round or longer than broad, dull brown or gray; usually 6 or 8 rounded, often pointed, rough, hard cone-scales; remaining closed and attached; many angular, dark brown seeds.

Habitat Exposed and protected slopes of foothills and mountains; with Digger Pine, oaks, and chaparral.

Range Coast Ranges of California; to 3000' (914 m).

Discussion The second most widely distributed cypress in California, Sargent Cypress was named for Charles Sprague Sargent (1841-1927), the founder and director of Harvard University's Arnold Arboretum and author of the 14-volume Silva of North America. Several stands grow within Mount Tamalpais State Park north of San Francisco.