The tree is susceptible to bagworms and can be affected by Juniper blight, particularly in humid and cool regions (1). Additionally, a “stem canker” has been known to damage large populations of the trees in certain regions of the country, resulting from the “cypress canker disease”, a pathogenic fungus known as Seridium cardinale (1, 10). Further threats to the tree include rusts and mistletoes, as well as the cypress aphid, Cinara cupressi (2, 10).
As noted already, two major varieties of C. arizonica exist, namely C. arizonica var. arizonica and C. arizonica var. glabra, both of which are monoecious (10). More broadly, however, the Arizona Cypress is referred to by botanists by a variety of names. Between different botanists, various accepted names are Callitropsis arizonica and Hesperocyparis arizonica, though a number of other names can refer to the same tree (5). The tree has been commonly referred to in China as “Iu gan bai” (5).
Interestingly, the essential oils of both var. arizonica and glabra have antifungal activity against pathogenic yeasts of the genus Candida (11). In the var. glabra, this activity occurred even at incredibly low concentrations (11).
The tree is guarded in Nevada under the protected category of “Cactus, Yucca, or Christmas tree” (3).
Some report that the tree’s branches emit an unpleasant odor if crushed (2).
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