Lawson cypress, also known as Port Orford cedar, is a tall, pyramidal conifer with scale-like leaves that typically is found around 100-150 ft., (1) but can be as tall as 225 ft. tall. (2)
Lawson cypress ranges from Southwest Oregon to Northwest California. It is also known as Port-Orford-cedar, where it was first identified. (3)
Port-Orford-cedar has a small natural range, but within that range it is the dominant tree. (2)
Lawson cypress is not typically browsed by animals in its range.
A root rot originating amongst Port-Orford-cedar ornamentals in the Pacific Northwest north of the Lawson cypress’ natural range spread south into the cypress’ natural range in 1952 through infected soil. The fungus spreads through waterborne spores. Increasing development through road and house construction and logging rapidly accelerated the spread of the disease. (3)
Port-Orford-cedar was used by Native Americans for utensils, arrows, canoes, and house planks, and the soft inner bark was woven into clothing, similarly to how western red-cedar and Alaska yellow-cedar were widely used. (3)
Lawson cypress has been a valuable timber species since it was introduced to European settlers. In Europe, it is a commercially valuable ornamental tree. Lumber was initially primarily used for house and shipbuilding, furniture, and timber for mineshafts. Arrow shafts, airplanes, boats, crates, doors, handles, molding, toys, and yardsticks amongst other lumber goods were manufactured from Port-Orford-cedar. Between 1920 and 1940, the species was used widely for venetian blinds and battery separators, but after World War II, substitute materials were found for these niche industries, and following the change in material, Lawson cypress fell out of use domestically. (3)
Currently, most Port-Orford is-Cedar exported to Japan due to its resemblance to hinoki wood, where despite its limited supply, is the choice wood for traditional temple and house construction. Japanese construction companies value the tree so highly as a substitute hinoki that they will take great precautions when chopping individual trees down, often assisting its fall with cables, and the logs are sold at a premium price. (3)
Since European settlers first encountered Lawson cypress in 1854, over 200 cultivars have been produced, which vary widely in habit, height, and color. (1) Port-Orford-cedar is frequently planted in Seattle and typically thrives in the surrounding environment.
