Lawson Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, commonly known as Port Orford cedar or Lawson cypress, is a species of evergreen tree that is native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America, including parts of Oregon and California. It is a member of the Cupressaceae family and can grow up to 70 meters in height, although in cultivation it usually grows to a more manageable height of around 20-30 meters.

The tree has a pyramidal shape and its bark is reddish-brown and scaly. Its leaves are scale-like and are arranged in opposite pairs along the branches. The cones of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana are small, round, and about 1 cm in diameter. They are initially green but turn brown as they mature.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana is commonly used in landscaping and as an ornamental tree because of its attractive shape and foliage. It is also used for timber and is valued for its durability and resistance to decay.

However, the species is considered threatened in the wild due to logging and the spread of a fungal disease called Port Orford cedar root disease, which can kill the tree. As a result, conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the remaining populations of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana in its natural habitat.