For many years, the Italian Cypress was a favorite choice for landscapes across North Texas. That changed after the severe freezes of winter 2016, which exposed the tree’s vulnerabilities. Almost overnight, countless Italian Cypress began turning brown — some declining, others dying altogether.
While there’s been plenty of debate about the exact causes, industry professionals widely agree that the trouble began with those freezes and the extreme temperature swings that December.
After experiencing significant losses on our farm, we made the difficult decision to permanently remove Italian Cypress from our inventory. Following extensive research and trials, we introduced the Eastern Red Cedar ‘Taylor’, also known as the Taylor Juniper, as a replacement.
This tree has proven to be an outstanding alternative, offering the same elegant, columnar form that customers loved about Italian Cypress, but without the weaknesses that made the cypress unreliable. Today, the Taylor Juniper continues to be one of our most recommended options for those wanting that tall, stately look in their landscapes.
What Makes the Taylor Juniper a Better Choice Than the Italian Cypress?
- More Cold Hardy
- More Drought Tolerant
- More Heat Tolerant
- More Disease Resistant
- Denser Branching
The Taylor Juniper was first discovered in Taylor, Nebraska, hence the name. If you know Nebraska winters, you know how brutally cold they can be. Not only does the Taylor Juniper withstand those conditions, but it also thrives in them.
One of our vendors up north even mentioned that they struggle to keep this tree in stock because of its popularity and performance. Taylor Junipers can be planted in zones 3–9, which covers a wide range of climates, including North Texas (zone 8).
As a cultivar of the Eastern Red Cedar (native to Texas), the Taylor Juniper naturally inherits its incredible heat and drought tolerance. Once established, usually after about two years of watering, Taylor Junipers can sustain themselves without weekly irrigation, making them a great choice for water-conscious and low-maintenance landscapes.
Disease resistance is another major advantage. Unlike Italian Cypress, which are prone to Phytophthora root rot, Seridium canker, spider mites, and cold damage, Taylor Junipers avoid these issues while still providing the same tall, columnar look homeowners love.
Visually, Taylor Junipers offer denser branching and a slightly blue-green tint to their foliage compared to the Italian Cypress. They are highly versatile in landscape design, commonly used as hedges in narrow spaces (such as between a pool and a fence) or as dramatic accents flanking entryways.
Explore our online galleries to see real world examples of Taylor Juniper installations.
More Reasons to Choose a Taylor Juniper
- Evergreen for year-round color and coverage
- Naturally deer resistant
- Elegant, narrow columnar shape
- Excellent choice for privacy screens
- Ideal for framing entrances or doorways
Eastern Red Cedar ‘Taylor’ Aka Taylor Junipers, planted along a wall.
Eastern Red Cedar ‘Taylor’ Aka Taylor Junipers, planted to flank and enhance an entrance.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and considering adding Taylor Junipers to your landscape, we’d love to help!
Give us a call, or visit our tree inventory page to view our current availability and up-to-date pricing.
— Denise
Treeland Nursery Team
Expert gardeners and tree care specialists
