Question
We live in southwest Idaho - in the Boise or Treasure Valley.  I love the look of the Italian Cypress but we do have alkaline soil.  When tested there was no acidity.  I see a tree across the hills from us as I look out my kitchen window.  Love that tree.  Want one!  
What must we do to insure that the tree thrives in this dry - mild for the NW, climate?

Answer
The cold will be the limiting factor. This tree will live in a range of soils. The Hardiness growing zone for this tree is 7-11 and Boise is 6. I would expect the cold weather and possible ice would do the tree in either by freezing it or the limbs breaking. I would suggest that you check with a tree nursery there and ask them for a evergreen that has similar characteristics as the Italian cypress (the narrow foliage is the one that stands out). IF the tree will survive there the local nursery will carry it--they will usually guarantee that their trees will live so they will not carry any that will not survive the local winter. Sorry