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Publication #ENH316

 

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii': 'Cripps Golden' Hinoki Falsecypress1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

Introduction

This broad, sweeping, conical-shaped evergreen has graceful, flattened, fern-like branchlets which gently droop at branch tips. Beautiful, shiny, new, golden/yellow foliage matures to green throughout the interior of the tree but some random yellow highlights are still obvious in clustered sprays at branch ends, giving the trees a wonderful two-toned effect. Cripp's Golden Hinoki Falsecypress reaches 50 to 75 feet in height with a spread of 20 to 30 feet, and has attractive, shredding, reddish-brown bark which peels off in long narrow strips.

Figure 1. 

Middle-aged Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii': 'Cripps Golden' Hinoki Falsecypress


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

General Information

Scientific name: Chamaecyparis obtusa
Pronunciation: kam-eh-SIP-uh-riss ob-TOO-suh
Common name(s): 'Cripps Golden' Hinoki Falsecypress
Family: Cupressaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 4A through 8A (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: little invasive potential
Uses: screen; Bonsai; specimen
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Figure 2. 

Range


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Description

Height: 50 to 75 feet
Spread: 20 to 30 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: spreading, pyramidal
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: scale-like
Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches
Leaf color: yellow
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: yellow
Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round, cone
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit covering: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; showy; typically one trunk; thorns
Pruning requirement: little required
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: green, brown
Current year twig thickness: thin
Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: moderate
Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown

Other

Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and Management

Cripp's Golden Hinoki Falsecypress should be grown in part sun in the south on moist, well-drained soil, in areas of moderate to high humidity, and preferably where the trees can be protected from harsh winds. Somewhat picky and probably more of a novelty than a staple landscape plant. Coloration is not as pronounced when grown in partial shade.

Propagation is by cuttings.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH316, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.