Cypress, << SY pruhs, >> is any one of a group of evergreen trees and shrubs that grow in North America, Europe, and Asia. There are several species (kinds) of cypresses. The baldcypress is not a true cypress but is related to the sequoia.
Cypresses adapt readily to warm climates, and gardeners often use them as ornamentals. The trees have small, scalelike leaves that grow in dense fan-shaped sprays. Their globe-shaped cones are covered by woody scales that look like small shields. The wood is light brown, durable, and has a strong cedarlike odor.
The Monterey cypress is one of the most picturesque trees in North America. It is named for the Monterey Peninsula of California, its native region. Its trunk is rarely more than 20 inches (50 centimeters) in diameter. The tree has long, strong, massive limbs that spread and grow in unusual shapes. It often grows near the ocean shore, where its branches are gnarled and bent by strong ocean winds. The Monterey cypress is a favorite subject for artists.
