The Italian Cypress or Cupressus sempervirens Stricta is a vigorous, evergreen, coniferous tree with a dense, thin, fastigiate (almost pencil-like) habit, sometimes becoming broader with age.
This cultivar has dark green, scale-like stem clasping leaves that are quite aromatic.
This is a very hardy conifer able to withstand drought, mild frosts and neglect while being extremely ornamental - even architectural. As such it is a darling of landscape architects and designers.
Stricta is the narrowest of all of the Cupressus sempervirens.