Italian Cypress in Toms River, NJ: Zone 7 Yes, But Nursery Resistance

Toms River, NJ (zone 7) owner wants 8 Italian cypress. Zone 7–11 suitable. But local growers don't carry, doubt survival.

Zone vs. Reality

Zone 7 = theoretical survival. Nurseries guarantee plants—if they won't stock it, local experience says it fails. Microclimate, winter wind, soil, disease pressure matter more than zone number.

Advice

Trust local nurseries. If they say "won't work," they're usually right. Choose proven local species.