Italian Cypress in St. Louis: Zone Mismatch

A St. Louis gardener asked if Italian cypress would survive there.

Hardiness Reality

Italian cypress is rated for USDA zones 7–11. St. Louis is zone 6. Winter cold and ice will likely kill it or cause limb breakage.

Consult a local nursery for narrow, columnar evergreens suited to zone 6 (e.g., 'Skyrocket' juniper, 'Degroot's Spire' arborvitae).

Trees: Cypress Canker on Italian Cypress: Identification and Management; Growing Italian Cypress: Hardiness Zones and Seed Sources; Italian Cypress in Massachusetts? Use Hardy Columnar Alternatives; Identifying Brown Cones on Italian Cypress Trees; Pruning Italian Cypress for Form and Health; Italian Cypress Roots & Driveways: Low Risk, But Mind the Spacing; Italian Cypress Canker: Seiridium, No Cure, Manage Stress; Italian Cypress in Idaho: Hardiness Zone Mismatch; Italian Cypress Topping: Don't Do It; Growing Cypress Trees: Majestic Wetland Natives

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