PlantFiles: Fernspray, False Cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Filicoides'

The irregularity of the plant shape is what attracted me to it initially and the more I investigated it, the more the nurseries praised it for its durability and resistance to diseases, etc. Seemed it was the perfect specimen. I live in central Oklahoma, the cypress, two of them, are planted in full sun and I have sprinklers for water needs. I planted them last spring, early, and this summer they have been filled with bag worms and there are a lot of brown spots all over them. I don't know whether to dig them up or what since if they have them this year, they likely will in years to come.

We bought an 8' specimen from a nursery in PA four years ago. It had been regularly eaten by deer and despite its height, was very scrawny looking. But, for $80 for a tree this size, we decided to give it a chance. It spent 2 days in the back of our pickup with its head sticking out the window (we were visiting relatives over a holiday). We planted it in full sun in our backyard at one of the "dry spots". Despite all that abuse, it has been very happy, is filling in beautifully, and started producing cones last year. Since they grow so slowly, we couldn't be happier about having one this size in our yard. Love it!!