ArborNote’s Tree of the Week was chosen by our product specialist, Xiao Luo! She spent some time in Santa Barbara and chose the Monterey Cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa). It is endemic to California, found naturally only on the Central Coast of California. Due to being a glacial relict, the natural distributional range of the species during modern times is confined to two small relict populations near Carmel, California, at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and at Point Lobos. Historically during the peak of the last ice age, Monterey cypress would have likely comprised a much larger forest that extended much further north and south. It grows to heights of up to 133 feet in perfect growing conditions, and its trunk diameter can reach over 8 feet. The foliage grows in dense sprays which are bright green in color and release a deep lemony aroma when crushed. Like shown in the picture, it often becomes irregular and flat-topped as a result of the strong winds that are typical of its native area!