Cypress
Cypress (tree), common name for several related coniferous trees and shrubs. The common cypress, native to the Mediterranean region, is a symmetrical evergreen that resembles some poplars and often reaches a height of more than 27 m (about 90 ft). It has a close-grained yellow or reddish wood so resinous that it resists rotting even after prolonged submersion in water. The Monterey cypress is an even larger tree found on the Pacific Coast in California. It sometimes grows as tall as 46 m (about 150 ft), with a base trunk circumference of 3 m (10 ft). This cypress is normally symmetrical but is often distorted into fantastic shapes by the action of the winds. Another true cypress is the cedar of Goa, or Portugal cedar, which is often planted in the United States for the decorative effect of its spreading branches. Scientific classification: Cypress make up the family Cupressaceae. The common cypress is classified as Cupressus sempervirens, the Monterey cypress as Cupressus macrocarpa, t...