Privacy Cypress
An important aspect of the backyard is maintaining privacy and one plant that provides good privacy quickly is the Bhutan cypress, (Cupressus torulosa). This plant, a large, dense conifer, will provide good screening to a height of about 7m (20′) in around six years. It is best suited to a large garden in a mild to cold climate.
Details
Common name: Bhutan or Himalayan cypress
Botanic name: Cupressus torulosa. The species name torulosa is from ‘torosus’ or ‘torulosus’, which describes a cylindrical structure marked at irregular intervals by swellings or constrictions in a chain-like formation. This aptly describes the natural shape of the tree, which is broad and bulbous at the base, becoming thinner and pointed towards the tip.
Climate (see map): Best in a cool to mild climate so suited to areas from Perth to Sydney and south. Excellent choice for mountain, tableland and cold climate gardens. In cold areas this tree develops a distinctive shape often called ‘witch’s hat’, which describes the tree’s broad base and pointy top. This tree comes from southern China in the lower levels of the Himalayas.
Good points:
- Fast-growing, cylindrical-shaped trees to a height of about 7-8m (20-24′) in six years. Eventually reaching 30m tall and up to 6-10m at the base (100′ tall and 18-30′ across) although tend to be smaller and narrower in warmer or dry climates.
- Grows well in cooler, wetter areas.
- Low maintenance as requires little pruning.
Uses:
- Screening along a fence or boundary, especially on a large property. For a screen or windbreak space trees about 2-3m (6-10′) apart.
- Useful tall, dense hedge. It can be clipped to around 2.5-3 metres (8-10′) tall.
- This tree is also used as a feature tree, especially in cool climate gardens.
Likes:
- Well-drained, fertile soil and a mild climate
- Keep well mulched.
- Water well in hot or dry climates.
Getting started: Bhutan cypress is available from nurseries throughout the cooler zones of Australia. A 20cm (8″) pot costs from around $16.
