Cemetery Cypress: The Silent Guardian of the Misunderstood Garden

Walking through the garden, I spotted something strange on a cypress branch. A green, lumpy, irregularly shaped ball. I examined it thinking it was some insect or disease — it was a cone. A cemetery cypress cone.

I've lived alongside these trees for years but had never seen their cones this closely. Unripe, they look so strange that you startle at first glance. When they ripen they turn brown, their scales open and scatter seeds — but few people ever notice that stage.

What is Cemetery Cypress?

The tree commonly known as cemetery cypress actually covers several different species. The most common are Thuja occidentalis (Eastern Arborvitae) and Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress). The one in the photo is Thuja — recognized by its fine, soft foliage and those characteristic cones.

It got its name from frequent use in cemeteries, but this tree actually has a much broader story. It has been used across North America and the Mediterranean basin for centuries for both ornamental and practical purposes.

Why Cemeteries?

The cypress's association with cemeteries is no coincidence. There are cultural and symbolic reasons: staying green year-round symbolizes immortality; its narrow, tall form represents reaching toward the sky; in ancient Greek and Roman culture it was used as a tree of mourning and remembrance; similar symbolism exists in Middle Eastern and Islamic culture.

But this symbolism shouldn't overshadow the tree. Cypress is an extremely valuable plant in garden design.

Permaculture and Garden Value

The cypress tree serves many functions in a permaculture garden. Excellent as a windbreak — its narrow, tall form cuts wind and protects plants behind it. Staying green year-round adds color and structure to the garden. Dense branching creates excellent nesting habitat for birds. Fallen foliage provides organic matter.

Thuja's essential oils also have natural insect-repelling properties — which is why chests and wardrobes were traditionally made from Thuja wood.

That Strange Cone

That oddly shaped green ball in the photo is Thuja's unripe cone. About 1 cm long, scale-like structure. Green in summer, brown in autumn — when scales open, small winged seeds are scattered. Spread by wind, they germinate on their own.

I was startled when I first saw it — a strange, unfamiliar sight. But the more I learned, the more fascinating it became. In nature everything has a purpose, everything has a cycle.

Care

Cypress requires very little maintenance. Grows in full sun or partial shade. Moderately drought tolerant — regular watering during establishment, minimal after. Light shaping pruning once a year is sufficient. Avoid heavy pruning — interior parts don't re-green.

If you have a cypress tree in your garden, look at it with different eyes. Not just a cemetery plant — a silent, patient, year-round garden guardian.