Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' Conifer

Evocative of the Tuscan countryside but hardy in the UK to -20C, Italian Cypress trees make a wonderful architectural statement, especially when planted in pairs or rows. These narrow, columnar evergreen trees retain their pencil thin form throughout life. Whilst they will grow to 15m in height, they are easy to keep trimmed to the required height.

Commonly known as Italian Cypress, Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' need plenty of water until they are established, but then they are drought tolerant. Just plant in full sun (as you would expect from a tree with Italian origins!) and they will look great in formal gardens, in pairs outside front entrances, in rows, as a singular focal point or even in containers.  

AKA Cupressus sempervirens Stricta Group 'Pyramidalis', Cupressus Totem Pole, Tuscan Cypress, Mediterranean Cypress, Pencil Cypress, Totem Pole tree

• Common name: Italian Cypress tree
• Latin name: Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis'
• Height and spread in 20 years: 15m or smaller if trimmed
• Seasons of interest: Year round
• Foliage: Dark green scale-like evergreen foliage
• Soil: Suitable for most soil types but requires a well-drained site

Planting Advice for Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' Conifer

Our pot grown Cupressus sempervirens can be planted at any time of the year. Start by removing all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help Italian Cypress establish more effectively, sprinkle rootgrow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree. Unless it is a particularly exposed location, there is no need to plant Italian Cypress trees with a stake and tie.

Aftercare Advice for Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' Conifer

If you’re planting Italian Cypress in spring or summer, water well and regularly for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If you’re planting in autumn, you may only need to water your tree a little. We stock a range of irrigation kits that make watering easier.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons.

Pruning Advice for Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' Conifer

Italian Cypress may benefit from light pruning to maintain their neat columnar shape if required. Simply remove any dead, diseased or awkwardly placed branches from your Italian Cypress tree as and when you see them.

Delivery Timescales

Most deliveries are made within a week of placing the order. All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team, with many despatched to our tried and tested couriers within 24 hours (please allow up to 10 days). There's no need to be in to receive your trees and you can request where they are left via the checkout.

There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together by geographic area for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date and whether the delivery driver needs assistance.

Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.

Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees.  For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.

Delivery Costs

1 small tree (most trees with a height under 1.5 metres) : £7.95 + vat

1 medium tree (most trees 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £9.95 + vat

2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £12.95 + vat

1-4 large trees (trees too large to fit in a box): £19.95 + vat

Mature, pleached or 5+ large trees: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode. You can buy additional trees with no increase in delivery cost.

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.

Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Non Mainland UK

Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.

Below are definitions of various forms, which refer to the shape of the tree defined by the pruning it has received. For more advice, please contact us.

Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.

Multi Stem: A multi stem tree is has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system. Take care to buy a true multi-stem like all ours and not those that are 3 saplings in a pot to cheaply imitate them.

Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branch), which supports a branched crown. Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.

Standard  either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard  10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard  12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height

The table below gives sizes and forms available for this variety, along with photos you can enlarge (these are only a guideline as all plants are unique so vary).