Tecate Cypress
Hesperocyparis forbesii
Care
full sun
very low
Fast, Medium, Slow; Typically metavolcanic soils but also tolerates clay and sand.
33–33ft tall , 25–25ft wide
Evergreen
Coastal chaparral of San Diego County (Tecate area) and adjacent Baja California, below 2500 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your Tecate Cypress in full sun with well-draining soil - it tolerates fast, medium, or slow drainage and adapts to clay, sand, or metavolcanic soils. Choose a location that won't receive supplemental water once established, as excessive watering causes the tree to become floppy and weak. Plant in fall or winter to let the tree establish before summer heat arrives.
After Planting
Water your newly planted cypress weekly during the first growing season, then reduce to once monthly during summer once established - this is the critical step where most gardeners fail by watering too much. After the first year, you can likely stop supplemental watering altogether; the tree is extremely drought-adapted and thrives on rain alone in the Bay Area. Prune minimally to maintain the tight, pyramidal shape while young; the tree will naturally become more rounded or contorted with age. Your Tecate Cypress will tolerate cold down to -10°F and remains evergreen year-round with bright green foliage and reddish bark.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California Threatened status
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Larval host plant for multiple Mitoura species specialized on cypress
Caterpillar feeding on cypress foliage
Larval development on cypress hosts
Larval feeding on cypress foliage
Fungal pathogen association with cypress
Larval gall formation on cypress stems and foliage
Larval defoliation during growing season
Larval feeding on cypress foliage during growing season
+1 more species