Port Orford Cedar

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Cupressaceae · coniferous tree · native

Last updated April 25, 2026

Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Cupressaceae) is a native conifer from the southwestern Oregon coast and adjacent California, reaching 40 to 60 feet in cultivation (up to 150 feet in the wild). It develops a conical form with flattened frond-like foliage sprays arranged horizontally, marked with distinctive white X-shaped patterns on the underside. Blue flowers precede small globose brown cones about 8 millimeters in diameter.

Port Orford cedar grows in sun to part shade on moist, well-drained soil (pH 5.0 to 7.0), sheltered from wind, hardy in Zones 6a to 8b. The species is highly susceptible to Phytophthora lateralis root rot, its most significant disease threat. Additional disease associations include Stigmina blight, Seiridium canker, leaf blight, and cedar flagging. Twelve cultivars are documented, including 'Alumii' (50 feet), 'Ellwoodii' (6 to 10 feet), 'Diks Weeping' (25 feet), 'Snow Queen' (25 feet), 'Duncanii' (dwarf, 2 feet), 'Blue Surprise' (6 feet), and 'Wisselii.'

Quick Facts

Height

150 ft

Spread

30-57 ft

Growth Rate

Moderate

Light

Sun to Part Shade

Soil

Moist

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zone Zones 6a–8b

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Origin

Southwestern Oregon from Coos Bay south to Humboldt County

Phenological Calendar

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
New growth flush BBCH 11	Feb 15-Mar 15	Lighter-colored new growth visible at branch tips
Pollen release BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	Male strobili (pollen cones) shedding pollen; pollen visible as dust
Pollen shed complete BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Pollen shedding has ended; male strobili browning and fading
Cone development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Small round cones visible and enlarging; cones initially greenish, developing brown color
Cone maturity and seed shed BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Cones fully mature; peltate (shield-shaped) scales separating; seed dispersal may begin

Diseases: Regionally Documented (6)

Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) Symptom category — not a single disease Root Rot Pseudocercospora thujina Stigmina Blight Cedar Flagging Phytophthora lateralis Port Orford cedar root rot Seiridium cardinale Seiridium Canker

Cultivars (12)

'Alumii'

Common name: Scarab Cypress Alumi Falsecypress; Mature height: 50 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Blue Surprise'

Common name: Blue Surprise Falsecypress; Mature height: 6 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Diks Weeping'

Common name: Dik's Weeping Falsecypress; Mature height: 25 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Duncanii'

Common name: Duncan's Falsecypress; Mature height: 2 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Ellwoodii'

Common name: Ellwood Falsecypress; Mature height: 6–10 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Golden Showers'

Common name: Golden Showers Falsecypress

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Green Globe'

Common name: Green Globe Falsecypress

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Miki'

Common name: Miki Falsecypress; Mature height: 5 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Snow Queen'

Common name: Snow Queen Falsecypress; Mature height: 25 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Treasure'

Common name: Treasure Falsecypress; Mature height: 6 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Treasure Island'

Common name: Treasure Island Falsecypress

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Wisselii'

Common name: Wissel's Lawson CypressWissel's Port Orford Cedar

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.