Lawson's Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Dik's Weeping'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Dik's Weeping', commonly known as Lawson's cypress or simply as 'Dik's Weeping', is a visually striking conifer characterized by a unique growth habit and striking foliage. This variety displays a weeping form, where the branches drape downward gracefully, creating a flowing and textured appearance. The foliage of 'Dik's Weeping' is soft and feathery, showcasing a rich spectrum of greens that may change slightly with the seasons. The leaves are arranged in a scale-like fashion, flattened and closely overlapping, giving the plant a lush, dense look. These leaves can seem almost glossy in direct sunlight, emitting a subtle reflective quality. 'Dik's Weeping' often features a central leader or main trunk from which the pendulous branches descend. The bark is relatively smooth with a fibrous texture that may become more pronounced as the plant matures. The overall impression of 'Dik's Weeping' is one of elegant stature and dynamic form, with its weeping branches creating a distinctive silhouette that can add depth and interest to both formal and informal garden settings. Its soft foliage texture contrasts strikingly with plants that have more rigid or architectural forms, making it an excellent specimen for landscape design where its dramatic presence can be fully appreciated.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Cupressaceae
- Synonyms
  Lawson's Cypress, Oregon Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Dik's Weeping Lawson Cypress
- Common names
  Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Dik's Weeping'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The most common common name for Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Dik's Weeping' is Lawson's Cypress. This plant is not typically considered poisonous to humans. However, as with many plants, it is possible that some individuals may experience allergic reactions or skin irritation from handling the plant or its sap. If ingested, parts of the plant may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or more serious issues depending on the amount consumed. Always use caution and keep plants out of the reach of small children who might ingest them out of curiosity.
- To pets
  Lawson's Cypress, the most common name for Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Dik's Weeping', is not typically known to be highly toxic to pets. Nonetheless, ingestion of plant materials such as needles or branches may lead to gastrointestinal upset in animals including symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. As individual pets can have unique sensitivities, it is wise to prevent your pets from chewing on or ingesting parts of this or any ornamental plant. If you suspect your pet has ingested a significant amount, consult a veterinarian for guidance.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Height
  10 feet (3 meters)
- Spread
  3 feet (1 meter)
- Plant type
  Tree
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  North America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Adds unique visual interest to the landscape with its weeping form and textured foliage.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care once established in the appropriate environment.
- Drought Tolerant: Can survive with limited water once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Cold Hardy: Adapts well to cooler climates and can withstand frost, making it a viable choice in many regions.
- Wildlife Shelter: Provides habitat and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
- Long-Lived: With proper care, it can live for many years, providing long-term structure in the garden.
- Windbreak: Can be used as a windbreak or to provide privacy due to its dense foliage.
- Evergreen: Retains its foliage throughout the year, offering constant color and texture in the garden.
- Soil Stability: Its root system can help prevent soil erosion on slopes or in areas prone to erosion.
- Adaptable: Can thrive in a variety of soil types as long as there is good drainage.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Acoustic Improvement: The dense foliage of Port Orford cedar can absorb sound, making it an effective natural sound barrier for residential areas or highways.
- Craft Wood: The wood of Port Orford cedar is often used for crafting durable and fragrant small objects like pencils, chests, or shoe trees.
- Boat Building: The wood is highly resistant to rot and is therefore used in the construction of small boats and kayaks.
- Insect Repellent: The natural oils present in Port Orford cedar can repel moths and other insects, making it ideal for use in closets or storage areas.
- Landscaping: This weeping variety of Port Orford cedar is used in ornamental landscaping as a focal point or feature tree due to its unique form and texture.
- Model Making: The fine-grain, softwood of Port Orford cedar is sought after for model making, including architectural models and intricate carving projects.
- Windbreaks: The trees can be planted in rows to form windbreaks, protecting crops or buildings from strong winds.
- Cultural Significance: Port Orford cedar can be used in ceremonies and traditional practices of native cultures in the Pacific Northwest.
- Specialty Veneer: The wood can be sliced into thin sheets for use as a decorative veneer in high-end cabinetry and woodworking.
- Wildlife Habitat: These trees can offer habitat and shelter for various wildlife species such as birds and small mammals.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Lawson's Cypress is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Lawson's Cypress is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Longevity: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, commonly known as Lawson cypress or Port Orford cedar, is a long-lived conifer that can symbolize longevity and endurance due to its ability to thrive for centuries.
- Strength: The wood of the Lawson cypress is highly valued for its strength and durability, which is often translated into a symbolic meaning of resilience and robustness.
- Protection: In some cultures, evergreen trees like the Lawson cypress are seen as protective entities, offering shelter and a haven for various forms of life, which can extend to symbolizing protection for humans as well.
- Healing: The aromatic properties of the Lawson cypress have led to its use in traditional medicine, thus symbolizing healing and therapeutic benefits.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 5 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Lawson's cypress, commonly known as 'Dik's Weeping', water the plant deeply once a week, ensuring the soil becomes saturated but not waterlogged. During hot or dry weather, increase the frequency to twice a week, applying about 1 to 2 gallons of water each time, depending on the size and maturity of the plant. Reduce watering in the cooler months to prevent root rot. Adjust the schedule based on rainfall, as natural precipitation may lessen the need for supplemental watering. Always check the top few inches of soil for dryness before watering to avoid over-watering.
Light
Lawson's cypress 'Dik's Weeping' performs best when planted in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade. It will achieve its full growth potential and have the best foliage color and density in a location that gets at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, it can tolerate some shade, especially in the afternoon, in hotter climates.
Temperature
The ideal temperature conditions for Lawson's cypress 'Dik's Weeping' range from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a maximum temperature of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit and a minimum winter temperature down to about -10 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure the plant's health, avoid placing it in spots where temperatures exceed these ranges for extended periods.
Pruning
Prune Lawson's cypress 'Dik's Weeping' to maintain its shape and encourage dense foliage. The best time for pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back any dead or damaged branches and lightly shape the tree as desired. Lawson's cypress typically requires minimal pruning, so it should be done sparingly and never remove more than one-third of the plant in a single season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Lawson's Cypress 'Dik's Weeping' thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The ideal soil mixture can be made by combining two parts loam, one part peat, and one part sand or perlite to enhance drainage. Its preferred soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, generally in the range of 5.5 to 7.
Repotting
Lawson's Cypress 'Dik's Weeping' is typically grown as an outdoor plant and does not require frequent repotting. It is slow-growing and may only need repotting every few years to refresh the soil or if the plant has outgrown its current space.
Humidity & Misting
Lawson's Cypress 'Dik's Weeping' prefers moderate humidity levels. As an outdoor evergreen conifer, it does well in natural outdoor humidity and does not require any special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, cool temps, and regular watering.
- Outdoor
  Plant in well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Lawson's Cypress 'Dik's Weeping' begins its life as a seed, which requires a well-drained, moist seedbed for germination, typically in the spring following dispersal. Upon sprouting, the seedling stage involves establishing roots and a basic structure, relying on photosynthesis for growth; this stage can last for several years as it slowly matures. The juvenile phase is marked by rapid vertical and minimal lateral growth, with the development of the characteristic weeping form that distinguishes 'Dik's Weeping'. In the maturity phase, the tree reaches its full height, with further growth primarily in girth and foliage density, and it can reproduce by producing cones: male cones release pollen and female cones develop into seed-bearing structures after pollination. The plant can live for many decades, and throughout its life, it continues to shed old foliage and produce new growth, maintaining its health and form. The senescence phase is when growth slows, older parts of the tree may die off, and it is more susceptible to environmental stresses, eventually leading to the tree's death.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Dik's Weeping', commonly known as Lawson's Cypress, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This process typically takes place in late summer. Growers select healthy, current year's growth and cut sections of stem that have started to turn from green to woody, usually about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long. These cuttings are then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a well-draining potting mix. Maintaining a high humidity around the cuttings is crucial, so they are often covered with a plastic bag or placed in a misting chamber until roots are established, which can take several weeks.