Murray Cypress is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that’s well-suited to become an ornamental holiday tree. An offshoot of the Leyland species, you’ll find the Murray Cypress Christmas tree a very popular choice in the southeastern regions.
Here’s why you should consider the Murray Cypress to adorn your living room this year.
Is Murray Cypress a Good Christmas Tree?
Murray Cypress is a newer Leyland Cypress cultivar and makes for excellent Christmas trees. Aside from its robust growth rate, Murray trees are well-adapted to cold conditions and can take freezing temperatures and icy winds without dropping a needle.
Murray Cypress has several distinguishing characteristics compared to the Leyland variety. For one, Murray trees exhibit stronger branches that resist breakage, which is quite important if you’re hanging decorations on them.
Second, the leaf colors tend to have a brighter shade of green that exhibits festive cheer. Both species tend to last longer than fir and pine varieties, and Murray’s has a near-impenetrable shield against diseases.
Another endearing aspect of having Murray Cypress is that it’s quite easy to grow. The shrub tends to do well on its own and won’t require too much attention from you.
Murray Cypress Christmas Tree Characteristics
Murray Cypress sports the thick, evergreen foliage of classic cypress trees. The shrub assumes a pyramid growth habit, with a thicker base and branches that point upward.
The leaves are bright green, sprightly, and have the same pattern and shape as a typical cypress tree. The shrub holds its shape and form well even when brought indoors to your living room.
Unlike pine and fir Christmas trees, the Murray Cypress does not have a strong fragrance. Don’t let that put you off from choosing the Leyland variety as your Christmas tree though.
Murray trees are very long-lasting and tend to stay fresh even after spending several weeks indoors. Leyland cypress in general produces very little sap and drops fewer needles, which makes it a fuss-free Christmas tree to have in your home.
The color range for Murray Cypress tends to be medium to dark green and is usually darker than the standard Leyland Cypress. If you are looking to have a tree that can be decorated, then you will have to check each shrub because some are more open than others.
Procuring a Murray Cypress tree during the holidays is relatively easy, especially in Georgia. It is a popular specimen there not just during the holidays, but year-round as well.
How to Care for a Murray Cypress
Outside the holiday season, Murray Cypress is often used as privacy screens in yards. Murray Cypress thrives in zones 6 through 10 and grows quickly, reaching anywhere between 3 to 5 feet per year. A mature Murray Cypress can reach up to 40 feet in height and have a 10-feet spread.
In the yard, Murray shrubs can be grown in full to partial sun and in any soil medium. The tree can tolerate wet conditions and heavy clay soil, and it tolerates light drought to a degree. Pruning can be done anytime during the year to remove dead wood and to keep the Murray Cypress’ characteristic pyramidal shape.
Murray Cypress exhibits strong resistance to pests and diseases, but the shrub may still be affected by needle blight or cankers. It’s recommended that you remove the branches that have green pustules near the tips and yellowed sections to prevent the disease from spreading.
The evergreen shrub is drought tolerant when fully mature and can withstand frost and freezing temperatures in winter. It is recommended that you water your Murray Cypress once or twice monthly and only when it hasn’t rained.
Related article: Can You Replant a Christmas Tree?