Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

Gorgeous rare native tree from the coastal ranges of far northwestern California and southern Oregon. Though limited in it's native range it is very adaptable to many climate zones throughout the country and has shown considerable cold tolerance in interior climates. Can grow up to 200 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet in diameter in the wild, but usually grows about 60 feet in domesticated settings. Also called Lawsons Cypress, it is botanically a cypress rather than cedar, it has lush flat sprays of feathery foliage that is often blue-green in color. The timber is milled into highly prized light colored rot resistant lumber that is highly prized in Japan where it is used for building temples and shrines. Prefers well drained moist soil. Native stands have been infected by a root rot imported from Asia where similar species grow, but this is rarely a problem in plantings outside it's native range. Hardy zones 5-8.