The Arizona cypress is a medium to large evergreen tree, slowly growing 35-50 ft. tall. Foliage is comprised of pale blue-green to yellowish, scale-like leaves; coarsely shredded red-brown bark covers mature trunks and branches.

This southwestern native is adapted to heat, cold, drought, wind and aridity. It has proven well adapted to desert landscapes and shows great promise for success in Inland Empire gardens and landscapes. It has proven to be well suited as a focal element and specimen tree that is very tough and hardy. Several attractive cultivars can be found at various nurseries including: C. a. ‘Compacta’ has a low growing form with a conical shape; C. a.‘Glauca’ is a selection with silvery-gray foliage; and C. a.‘Pyramidalis’ is a smaller tree with a symmetrical form.