Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

A large evergreen tree, specimens mature up to tall or more (exceptionally to ), with trunks in diameter, exceptionally . The bark is silver-brown, vertically furrowed, and thick near the base. The foliage is arranged in lacy, flat sprays with a feathery appearance, usually somewhat glaucous (i.e. blue-green) in color. The leaves are scale-like, long, with narrow white markings on the underside, and produced on somewhat flattened shoots. The foliage gives off a rather pungent scent, not unlike parsley. The seed cones are globose, in diameter, with 6–10 scales, green at first, maturing brown in early fall, 6–8 months after pollination. The male cones are long, dark red, turning brown after pollen release in early spring. The seeds fall quickly and can float on water. Old specimens lack branches near the base and often have dead tops. They can live up to about 600 years of age. == Taxonomy ==

The species was first documented near Port Orford, Oregon, and introduced into cultivation in 1854 by collectors working for Charles Lawson FRSE of the Lawson & Son nursery in Edinburgh, Scotland, after whom it was named as Lawson's Cypress by the describing botanist Andrew Murray. The United States Department of Agriculture officially calls it by the name Port Orford cedar, as do most people in its native area, but some botanists prefer to use the name Lawson's cypress (or in very rare instances Port Orford cypress) instead. The name "Lawson's cypress" is widely used in horticulture. == Distribution and habitat ==

The species is native to southwestern Oregon and northwestern California, and grows from sea level up to in the valleys of the Klamath Mountains, often along streams. It fares best at the north end of its range. == Ecology ==

The thick bark provides resistance to wildfires, and the species regenerates well on disrupted land in a variety of soils, but requires consistent moisture. It is shade tolerant, but not as much so as competing species western hemlock and white fir. Animal-facilitated spread is thought to occur, but is localized. The United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management attempt to prevent Phytophthora spread through road closures, monitoring, research and education. Research has focused on determining the dynamics and mechanisms of spread, as well as attempts to breed resistant trees. One solution against Phytophtera is known generically as Mancozeb and also commercially known as Dithane (C). Commercial preparations of the parasitic fungus Pythium oligandrum are licensed for pest control, and documented to predate many species of Phytophthora. Similar species The extinct Eocene species Chamaecyparis eureka, known from fossils found on Axel Heiberg Island in Canada, is noted as resembling C. lawsoniana and C. pisifera. The associated genus Calocedrus (incense-cedar) has thick orange-brown bark and the bark of Thuja plicata (western redcedar) is comparatively thin; both have different foliage than Port Orford cedar. == Cultivation ==

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana thrives best in well-drained but moist soils, in a fairly sheltered position in full sun. Several hundred named cultivars of varying crown shape, growth rates and foliage color have been selected for planting in parks and gardens. In the United Kingdom (UK) the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017): == Uses ==

The species was discovered by Euro-Americans in the 1850s. The wood is light yet has great strength and rot resistance, even after long exposure to salt water. Its lumber is known for its highly fragrant ginger aroma, caused by an oil which repulses decay and insects, including termites; this oil has been used as an insecticide. The wood is considered more than acceptable for use in stringed instruments. Its fine grain, good strength and tonal quality are highly regarded for soundboards in guitar making. ==Gallery==

File:LawsonsCypress.jpg|Foliage with cones: immature seed cones below, pollen cones above File:Lawson cypress male cones.jpg|Male cones in spring with diagnostic red colour File:Chamaecyparis lawsoniana.jpg|Mature female cones File:Chamaecyparis lawsoniana imbricata pendula 01.jpg|Cultivar 'Imbricata Pendula', Rosemoor, Devon, UK == See also ==