Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine

Name: Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 400.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$400.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: 50cm

50cm

Current Stock Height Guides

50cm: 1.6m – 1.9m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’, commonly known as the Italian Pencil Pine, is a classic evergreen conifer distinguished by its narrow, columnar form. The foliage is dense, dark green, and aromatic when crushed, held tightly against upright, tapering stems. Mature specimens typically grow 10–15 metres in height while maintaining a slim width of 1–2 metres, making them a highly effective vertical accent in formal landscapes.

This cultivar is moderate to fast growing under favourable conditions and is highly drought tolerant once established. Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ thrives in full sun and adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy and poor types. It is frost hardy, wind tolerant, and low-maintenance, requiring little pruning to maintain its shape. Long-lived and resilient, it is ideal for formal and civic planting schemes.

They look excellent when planted as driveway or avenue trees, used in pairs to frame entrances, or positioned as feature accents in structured gardens. They are also popular in Mediterranean-style landscapes where their upright form contributes to strong architectural design.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10–15 metres

Mature Width: 1–2 metres

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine is expected to grow 40 – 60 cm per year (moderate–fast).

Frost Tolerance

Is Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine frost tolerant?

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ produces small, inconspicuous male and female cones rather than showy flowers. These subtle reproductive structures sit along the slim, upright branchlets and are not considered ornamental, forming only a quiet part of its natural cycle.

Native Information

Is Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine an Australian Native? No

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine is Native to The Mediterranean region, particularly Italy, Greece, and Turkey, where it grows in dry, rocky hillsides and cultivated landscapes.

Wildlife Value

Its dense, columnar evergreen canopy provides valuable nesting and roosting habitat for small birds, while the cones support insects and seed-feeding wildlife. The tight branching also creates sheltered micro-habitats that strengthen biodiversity in structured and Mediterranean-style gardens.

Sunlight Information

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support its exceptional drought performance and iconic upright silhouette.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Italian Pencil Pine

Genus: Cupressus

Botanical Species: Cupressus sempervirens

Family: Cupressaceae

Botanical Name: Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’

Landscape Uses

Avenue Planting
Screening or Privacy
Council or Civic Landscapes

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Select a sunny, open site with well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Backfill with soil improved with compost if required.
Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the base.
Stake young trees until they establish a strong root system.

Hedging & Screening: Space 1 – 1.5 m apart (for tall screens)
Feature Planting: Space 2 – 3 m apart
Avenue Planting: Space 2.5 – 4 m apart

Water regularly during establishment, then only in extended dry periods.
Fertilise annually in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
Minimal pruning is required, but can be clipped to form dense screens.

Sandy soils: Grows well with regular watering during establishment.
Loamy soils: Ideal growth with minimal maintenance.
Clay soils: Performs if drainage is improved; avoid heavy, waterlogged sites.
Coastal soils: Tolerates light salt exposure in sheltered positions.
Poor soils: Hardy but benefits from enrichment with compost and fertiliser.

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ – Italian Pencil Pine is expected to grow 40 – 60 cm per year (moderate–fast).

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland QLD (Darling Downs, Central QLD)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa
Riverland & Murraylands
Limestone Coast & South East
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Stricta’ develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry, coastal and exposed environments, maintaining its narrow, architectural form with minimal supplementary watering.