Port Orford Cedar
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Also listed as Cupressus lawsoniana, Retinispora lawsoniana
Also known as Lawson's Cypress, Lawson Cypress, Port Orford Cypress
Climate Match for your location
See how well Port Orford Cedar grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A tall, graceful evergreen conifer native to Oregon and northern California, known for its soft, feathery blue-green foliage and narrow pyramidal form. It prefers cool, moist conditions and is prized as an ornamental specimen or screen plant.
Why grow it
Port Orford Cedar offers finer, softer foliage texture than many other columnar conifers, making it valuable where a more delicate visual effect is desired in cool-climate landscapes. Its narrow, pyramidal habit suits confined spaces better than broader screening conifers, and it tolerates partial shade while maintaining good form. Compared to other Chamaecyparis species, it prefers cooler, more consistently moist conditions typical of maritime or high-elevation sites.
Watch out for
This species performs poorly in hot, dry, or windy sites where foliage can brown or die back; site selection is critical to success. In regions outside its native range, ensure adequate summer moisture and protection from desiccating winds, particularly in continental climates. Crowded planting or poor air circulation can encourage fungal issues, so allow adequate spacing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
southwestern Oregon and northwestern California
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tall, graceful evergreen conifer native to Oregon and northern California, known for its soft, feathery blue-green foliage and narrow pyramidal form. It prefers cool, moist conditions and is prized as an ornamental specimen or screen plant.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Port Orford Cedar grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Port Orford Cedar offers finer, softer foliage texture than many other columnar conifers, making it valuable where a more delicate visual effect is desired in cool-climate landscapes. Its narrow, pyramidal habit suits confined spaces better than broader screening conifers, and it tolerates partial shade while maintaining good form. Compared to other Chamaecyparis species, it prefers cooler, more consistently moist conditions typical of maritime or high-elevation sites.
Watch out for
This species performs poorly in hot, dry, or windy sites where foliage can brown or die back; site selection is critical to success. In regions outside its native range, ensure adequate summer moisture and protection from desiccating winds, particularly in continental climates. Crowded planting or poor air circulation can encourage fungal issues, so allow adequate spacing.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
southwestern Oregon and northwestern California
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.