Cupressus macnabiana, commonly known as McNab’s Cypress, is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the chaparral and woodlands of California, particularly in the inner North Coast Ranges and the northern Sierra Nevada foothills. It is a small to medium-sized tree, typically 3–12 meters (9.8–39.4 ft) tall, with a spreading crown that is often broader than it is tall. McNab’s Cypress is characterized by dense, short flat sprays of bright glaucous gray-green foliage, which is unique among California cypresses. The scale-like leaves are 1–2 mm long with an acute apex and a distinctive white resin gland at the center. Young seedlings produce needle-like leaves up to 10 mm (0.4 inches) long in their first year. The oblong-ovoid to cuboid seed cones are 15–25 mm long and 13–20 mm broad, with six (rarely four or eight) scales, each scale bearing a prominent umbo. They are serotinous, opening to release seeds only after the parent tree is killed by wildfire, which aids in the species’ regeneration.

McNab’s Cypress is valued for its drought tolerance and the spicy-resinous scent of its foliage, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings in dry regions. It is also used for erosion control and as a windbreak due to its dense growth habit. In cultivation, it requires full sun and can adapt to a range of soil drainage conditions, from slow to fast. While it is low-maintenance and requires little water once established, it is susceptible to cypress canker, a disease that can cause branch dieback and eventual death of the tree.CC BY-SA 4.0