Monterey Cypress (Greenstead Manificent)?

[jsdwi]

I have a large hill filled with procumbent junipers, but at the top of the hill are what looks to be Monterey Cypress’s (the Greenstead Magnificent variety potentially because they are spreaders) that the original owner of the house planted 30+ years ago.

It looks like they moved to the juniper’s because these were not as successful, but the remaining ones are aged and beautiful. This one below was at the top of the hill off in a corner that I rarely go into. I noticed that there was severe erosion around the roots, and gophers were eating away at it aggressively as you can see below. I initially pruned it and began wiring the branches with the plan to pull it next year, but I realized how severe the erosion and gopher damage was so I pulled it now. Not a great time given that it is cold, but this guy has been living in the cold with its roots exposed for at least a few years so I am hoping it will survive the winter.

Can anyone concur that this looks like a Monterey Cypress? I initially thought that it was a variety of Juniper, but I do not think it is.

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

I cant say if it is or not, but this is what it should look like.

 

[jsdwi]

I cant say if it is or not, but this is what it should look like.

View attachment 578782

I’m 95%+ sure it’s a Monterey Cypress. It’s been about 2 weeks since I pulled and potted and it’s looking strong.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Can you show us detail pictures of the foliage? It might help in identifying it.
If you have trouble focussing your camera, but a hand or piece of paper behind it.

 

[jsdwi]

I’m not in the mountains at the moment, but here is a zoomed in shot of the needles from previous high res photos.

Thank you!

 

[Scriv]

Very cool tree. Looks like a juniper to me.

 

[jsdwi]

Very cool tree. Looks like a juniper to me.

I’ve spent more time analyzing the features and you are correct, I believe it is a Western/Sierra
Juniper. I’m going to let A stabilize for at least a year, but a lot of potential. When it’s ready, I will cut back dramatically.

 

[stubmle]

I’ve spent more time analyzing the features and you are correct, I believe it is a Western/Sierra
Juniper. I’m going to let A stabilize for at least a year, but a lot of potential. When it’s ready, I will cut back dramatically.

What does the foliage smell like when crushed? If I recall right Monterey Cypress should smell a bit lemony. Juniper smells like... juniper, or cat pee depending on the variety.

 

[jsdwi]

What does the foliage smell like when crushed? If I recall right Monterey Cypress should smell a bit lemony. Juniper smells like... juniper, or cat pee depending on the variety.

It is a juniper, possibly a Sierra. I will have it properly analyzed at a later time after a year or two. So far, so good... tree has stabilizing well and waiting for spring to arrive.