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yellow cypress tree

The yellow cypress tree is celebrated by New Zealand gardeners for its year-round golden foliage, graceful shape, and versatility in landscape design. Whether you’re creating a high-impact feature or searching for hardy, low-maintenance choices, this majestic conifer brings both structure and colour to gardens across Aotearoa. Its feathery texture and distinctive yellow hues make it a standout pick for hedging, privacy screens, and specimen planting in urban or rural settings.

Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' specimen trees.

Quercus robur 'Fastigiata'

Quercus robur 'Fastigiata', commonly known as the English Columnar Oak or Cypress Oak, is a deciduous tree with lovely foliage and great form. This majestic beauty typically grows to 15 m tall and 5 m wide with a columnar-conical growth habit.

From $270.40

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 15.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Avenues, Parks, Ponds, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Formal, Modern
taxodium-cascade-falls-

Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls'

Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls' is a graceful weeping form of Bald Cypress, admired for its cascading branches, soft feathery foliage, and spectacular bronze orange autumn colour. Its elegant habit makes it an outstanding specimen tree for gardens, beside ponds, and in feature landscapes.

From $387.55

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy, Wet
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Riparian
helleborus-yellow-
Helleborus 'Yellow Hybrid' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'Yellow Hybrid' is a beautiful evergreen perennial that produces soft yellow flowers through winter and early spring, bringing welcome...

From$19.95
Sophora longicarinata yellow flowers.
Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai)

Sophora longicarinata is a rare and beautiful NZ native tree belonging to the kowhai family. This evergreen to semi deciduous species is admired for...

From$323.65
A large Tilia platyphyllos tree in a park.
Tilia platyphyllos

Tilia platyphyllos (Large-Leaved Linden) is a magnificent deciduous tree admired for its large heart shaped leaves, fragrant pale yellow flowers, and...

From$515.35
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$515.35
taxodium-distichum-
Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)

Taxodium distichum (Swamp Cypress) is a magnificent deciduous conifer admired for its soft feathery foliage, strong upright form, and spectacular...

From$387.55
Sophora fulvida tree with masses of yellow flowers.
Sophora fulvida

Sophora fulvida (Southern Kōwhai) is a beautiful New Zealand native tree admired for its golden yellow flowers and fine green foliage. Flowering in...

From$169.24
malus-arrow-gold-
Malus 'Arrow Gold'

Malus 'Arrow Gold' (Golden Crabapple) is an attractive deciduous ornamental tree prized for its masses of white spring blossom, glossy green foliage...

From$387.55
cupressus-sempervirens-stricta-2
Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' (Pencil Cypress)

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is a tall narrow evergreen conifer admired for its dense upright form and rich dark green foliage. This classic...

From$179.91
geum-tempo-yellow-
Geum 'Tempo Yellow'

Geum 'Tempo Yellow' is a cheerful perennial that produces bright yellow flowers over a long flowering period, adding vibrant colour to NZ gardens...

From$16.95
cupressus-ovensii-3
Cupressus ovensii

Cupressus ovensii (Ovens Cypress) is a hardy evergreen conifer admired for its fine textured foliage and dense upright growth habit. This resilient...

From$28.91
A Sophora godleyi specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora godleyi (Godleys Kowhai)

Sophora godleyi is a magnificent New Zealand native tree valued for its graceful weeping branches and bright yellow flowers that appear in spring...

From$323.65
Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) yellow flower amidst lush, green foliage.
Liriodendron tulipifera

Liriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the Tulip Tree, is a magnificent deciduous tree admired for its stately form and striking flowers. It...

From$387.55
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

From$387.55
acer-platanoides-4
Acer platanoides

Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) is a large deciduous tree prized for its broad canopy, dense shade, and attractive seasonal colour. The lush green...

From$249.95
genista-yellow-imp-3
Genista 'Yellow Imp'

Genista Yellow Imp (Yellow Broom) is a bright and cheerful evergreen shrub admired for its masses of vivid yellow flowers that cover the plant in...

From$27.53
Camellia japonica 'Jurys' Yellow' flowers with dark green foliage.
Camellia japonica 'Jurys Yellow'

Camellia japonica Jury's Yellow is an evergreen shrub that features showy, double, cream-coloured flowers through winter and spring. These...

From$239.95
Osteospermum 'Voltage Yellow' stunning yellow flowers with green foliage.
Osteospermum 'Voltage Yellow'

Osteospermum 'Voltage Yellow' is a vibrant flowering perennial valued for its bright yellow daisy flowers and long flowering season. This cheerful...

From$24.77
Betula jacquemontii tree showcasing white stems and an aesthetic form.
Betula utilis 'Jacquemontii'

Betula utilis 'Jacquemontii' (Himalayan Birch) is a spectacular deciduous tree prized for its brilliant white bark and graceful upright form. The...

From$269.91
An avenue of Platanus acerifolia (London Plane trees).
Platanus acerifolia

Platanus acerifolia, commonly known as the London Plane Tree, is a large, deciduous tree grown for its foliage, stature, and showy fruits. The...

From$387.55
koelreuteria-paniculata-1
Koelreuteria paniculata

Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree) is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its bright yellow flower clusters and attractive foliage. In...

From$270.40
camellia-japonica-brushfields-yellow-
Camellia 'Brushfields Yellow'

Camellia 'Brushfields Yellow' is a highly sought after evergreen shrub admired for its creamy white outer petals surrounding a soft yellow petaloid...

From$27.95
azara-microphylla-2
Azara microphylla

Azara microphylla (Vanilla Tree) is a graceful evergreen tree admired for its small glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant yellow flowers. In spring...

From$387.55
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus 'Lobel' (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus 'Lobel' is a refined deciduous elm valued for its narrow upright form, dense green foliage, and excellent suitability as an avenue or specimen...

From$557.95
A Ginkgo 'Autumn Gold' specimen tree with colourful, yellow foliage in autumn.
Ginkgo 'Autumn Gold'

Ginkgo 'Autumn Gold' is grown for its impressive and colourful foliage. It produces distinctive, fan-shaped, rich green leaves which turn bright...

From$387.55
A Ginkgo biloba 'Little Weeper' tree in a mixed planting.
Ginkgo 'Little Weeper'

Ginkgo 'Little Weeper', commonly known as the Maidenhair Tree, is grown for its colourful foliage and weeping growth habit. This deciduous tree has...

From$387.55
A cluster of Betula platyphylla 'Japonica' trees showing their brilliant white trunks.
Betula platyphylla Japonica

Betula platyphylla 'Japonica' (also known as Japanese White Birch) is a graceful deciduous tree admired for its striking white bark, upright form...

From$383.29
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$99.29
A Ginkgo 'Jade Butterflies' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
Ginkgo 'Jade Butterflies'

Ginkgo 'Jade Butterflies' is a smaller variety of Ginkgo biloba, grown for its showy and colourful foliage. This deciduous tree has distinctive...

From$387.55
Ginkgo Ming Princess small tree.
Ginkgo 'Ming Princess'

Ginkgo 'Ming Princess' is a compact, ornamental form of the ancient ginkgo tree, valued for its fan shaped leaves and brilliant golden yellow autumn...

From$270.40
prunus-ukon-3
Prunus 'Ukon'

Prunus 'Ukon' is a rare and elegant flowering cherry tree admired for its unusual pale yellow green blossoms during spring. This deciduous ornamental...

From$399.95
Quercus robur 'Fastigiata'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Cupressus, Helleborus, and Liriodendron, or related Categories - Conifer Shrubs, Deciduous Conifers, and Perennials.

Search yellow cypress tree

Why Choose a Yellow Cypress Tree?

A yellow cypress tree thrives in a range of New Zealand climates, from cooler southern regions to warmer northern zones, making it a reliable choice for most gardens. Its striking golden colour instantly brightens dark corners and contrasts beautifully with deep greens or purple foliage. Ideal for clay, loamy, or sandy soils (with good drainage), these trees also tolerate wind and coastal conditions, making them a practical solution for exposed sites.

As the yellow cypress tree matures, it naturally develops a conical or columnar shape, requiring little if any pruning to maintain its classic silhouette. It’s an excellent option for formal hedges, avenue plantings, or as a glowing backdrop for perennial borders. When planted as a row, the trees create an evergreen screen that offers privacy and reduces noise from busy roads. Single specimens are equally impressive, adding a luminous accent to lawn areas and garden beds.

Planting and Care Tips

Caring for your yellow cypress tree is straightforward. Place your tree in full sun for the best colour, though partial shade is tolerated. Water well after planting and during dry spells, particularly through the first growing season to ensure roots establish strongly. Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Once settled in, these trees are largely drought-tolerant and only need occasional feeding with a balanced fertiliser each spring.

If you’re designing a diverse landscape, consider pairing yellow cypress with trees like Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls, a weeping form of Bald Cypress, or upright classics such as Quercus robur Fastigiata. For added contrast and seasonal interest, the variegated foliage of Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm) and the golden tones of Fraxinus excelsior aurea make excellent companions.

Alternatives and Companion Trees

If you appreciate the character of the yellow cypress tree but want to expand your conifer collection, Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) offers a unique, feathery silhouette and excellent tolerance to wet soils—a great choice for pond and lake margins. Elegant deciduous species like Quercus robur Fastigiata and vivid Fraxinus excelsior aurea also complement cypress trees beautifully, ensuring your garden has visual interest through every season.

Add a Yellow Cypress Tree to Your Garden

With its brilliant foliage, strength, and easy-care nature, the yellow cypress tree is an asset for New Zealand gardens large or small. Whether you're creating a structured planting or highlighting bold colour within native bush, the yellow cypress brings year-round appeal. Browse our range today and discover how this popular conifer, alongside companions like Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls and Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm), can transform your outdoor spaces.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

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You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Rose 'Flower Carpet White' and Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Persimmon Fuyu, Acer rubrum 'Bowhall', and Phormium cookianum?
–The Plant Company

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