Cupressus dupreziana

Botanical Description

Cupressus dupreziana is an evergreen tree with a conical or pyramidal crown; it can grow around 16 - 20 metres tall. The trunk can be 200 - 300cm in diameter[ 2124 Title A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition) Publication Author Farjon A. Publisher Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands Year 2017 ISBN 978 90 04 32449 7 Description ]. The tree is harvested (illegally) for its wood, which is used as timber and for fuel[ 2124 Title A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition) Publication Author Farjon A. Publisher Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands Year 2017 ISBN 978 90 04 32449 7 Description ]. It has potential for use as an ornamental[ 2124 Title A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition) Publication Author Farjon A. Publisher Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands Year 2017 ISBN 978 90 04 32449 7 Description ]. Cupressus dupreziana is one of the most extreme examples of a relict conifer seemingly on its way out to extinction. The causes of this are primarily natural climate change, but the remaining trees were also cut occasionally for firewood by wandering Tuareg people and there are tales about caravans that carted off wood. In all, 233 living individuals are now known to exist, with 20 trees dead since 1972 also found. The remaining trees are often senescent and natural regeneration appears to be sporadic. The most recent census of trees in the area showed a continuous range of tree sizes and found more seedlings, indicating slow but continuous natural regeneration. Tourism is providing an increasing incentive for protection and the Tassili n’Ajjer has been designated a World Heritage Site. However, adequate protection in situ is still wanting. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].