Port Orford Cedar

cone development

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Cupressaceae · coniferous tree · introduced

Last updated

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.'

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height
150 ft
Spread
30-57 ft
Growth Rate
Moderate
Size at 20 yr
40 ft
Lifespan
Long-lived

Site Requirements

Light
Sun to Part Shade
Soil Drainage
Moist
Soil pH
5.0–7.0
Water
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 6a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time
Non-flowering
Origin
Southwestern Oregon from Coos Bay south to Humboldt County

Field Observations

Lawson's Cypress 's Cypress (*Chamaecyparis lawsoniana*' cone development
Lawson's Cypress 's Cypress (*Chamaecyparis lawsoniana*': Cone development

Diseases: Regionally Documented (6)

Phenological Calendar

As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Port Orford Cedar has passed cone development (2398 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,673 cone development — —
Kent / Auburn 2,665 cone development — —
Seattle / UW 2,610 cone development — —
Olympia / Tumwater 2,570 cone development — —
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,535 cone development — —
Bellingham / Whatcom 2,533 cone development — —
Sequim / Rain Shadow 2,436 cone development — —
View full calendar (6 stages)
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
New growth flush BBCH 11 — Feb 15-Mar 15
Pollen release BBCH 61 — Apr 1-Apr 30
Pollen shed complete BBCH 69 — Apr 15-May 15
Cone development BBCH 71 — Jun 1-Aug 31
Cone maturity and seed shed BBCH 85 — Sep 1-Nov 30
● cone development BBCH 79 NOW 2398 Observed —

Source: Field observation, SeaTac, WA (Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden). Cultivar: 'Imbricata Pendula'. About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.

Cultivars (13)
'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
'Imbricata Pendula'
Weeping form with rope-like pendulous branches
Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.