Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

A large evergreen tree, specimens mature up to 200 ft (61 m) tall or more, with trunks 4–7 ft (1.2–2 m) in diameter, exceptionally 8–9 ft (2.4–2.7 m).[4] The bark is silver-brown, vertically furrowed, and 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) thick near the base.[4] The foliage is arranged in lacy, flat sprays with a feathery appearance,[4] usually somewhat glaucous (i.e. blue-green) in color. The leaves are scale-like, 1⁄8–3⁄16 inch (3–5 mm) 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, 9⁄32–9⁄16 inch (7–14 mm) in diameter, with 6–10 scales, green at first, maturing brown in early fall, 6–8 months after pollination. The male cones are 1⁄8–5⁄32 inch (3–4 mm) long, dark red, turning brown after pollen release in early spring. The seeds fall quickly and can float on water.[4]

Old specimens lack branches near the base and often have dead tops. They can live up to about 600 years of age.[4]

The species was first discovered (by European Americans) near Port Orford, Oregon, and introduced into cultivation in 1854 by collectors working for Charles Lawson FRSE[5] of the Lawson & Son nursery in Edinburgh, Scotland, after whom it was named as Lawson Cypress by the describing botanist Andrew Murray. The United States Department of Agriculture officially calls it by the name Port Orford cedar,[2] as do most people in its native area, but some botanists prefer to use the name Lawson cypress (or in very rare instances Port Orford cypress) instead. The name "Lawson's cypress" is widely used in horticulture.

The species is native to southwestern Oregon and northwestern California, and grows from sea level up to 4,900 feet (1,500 m)[4] in the valleys of the Klamath Mountains, often along streams. It fares best at the north end of its range.[4]

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 so much so as competing species western hemlock and white fir.[4] The old-growth population near Coos Bay, Oregon, was wiped out by logging and wildfires in 1867–1868, and again by fire and root disease in 1936.[4]

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):[9]

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.[4] Its properties resemble those of yellow-cedar, but was historically more available in the region.[4] On shores lacking docks, logs were transported via high-line cable directly onto ship decks. It was valued for boatbuilding.[4] The species was important to Oregon's lumber industry until the 1950s when it was crippled by disease.[4] It was preferred for storage battery cell separation, Venetian blinds, and other uses.[4] Quality specimens eventually began to be shipped almost exclusively to East Asia, where it is highly valued.[4] Large amounts have been exported to Japan where it is used in making coffins, shrines, and temples.[34] 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.[4] Due to the straightness of its grain, it is also one of the preferred woods for the manufacture of arrow shafts. It is also considered an acceptable, though not ideal, wood for construction of aircraft.[35]

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.[36]

• 
  Foliage with cones: immature seed cones below, pollen cones above
• 
  Male cones in spring with diagnostic red colour
• 
  Mature female cones
• 
  Cultivar 'Imbricata Pendula', Rosemoor, Devon, UK

• Cedar wood

• Snyder, Gary. 1999. "The Gary Snyder Reader". Counterpoint. ISBN 1-887178-90-2

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Wikispecies has information related to Chamaecyparis lawsoniana.

• Jepson Manual treatment for Cupressus lawsoniana
• ConiferCountry Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
• Chamaecyparis lawsoniana in the CalPhotos photo database, University of California, Berkeley