Prospects for Selection in the Cypresses

Authors: M.H. Bannister
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1959, Issue N.Z.J.For. 8(4) 1962, pp 545-559, Jan 1962
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Several species of cypress yield timber which ranks among the finest softwoods in the world. Utilization is generally limited by small and dwindling natural resources, but there has been large-scale reafforestation with cypresses in Japan and East Africa.
As a group, the species occupy extremely diverse habitats, but many of the individual species are of restricted range and seem to be adapted to special conditions within narrow limits. Attempts to grow cypresses as exotics are often hampered by ignorance of the ecological amplitudes of the various species, and pathogens are an increasing deterrent. For the production of timber, several species have desirable features, but in every species there is some feature which is likely to repel the forester.
The territorial distribution of certain species, such as C. lusitanica and C. arizonica, is such that selection at the provenance level would probably be beneficial in any afforestation based on them. Individ-ual-tree selection in some species, notably C. macrocarpa, could probably effect a worth-while improvement in stem form and possibly in disease resistance.
The existence of spontaneous interspecific hybrids points to the possibility of creating new combinations artificially. In at least some cases, artificial hybrids might well combine the desirable features of the parents and at the same time display superior growth rates. Various combinations of the C. lusitanica X macrocarpa complex, including artificial F and second-generation hybrids, show promise in this direction. The existing genotypes of X Cupressocyparis leylandii deserve thorough trial, and combinations such as C. lusitanica X torulosa and C. macrocarpa X guadalupensis should be attempted.

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