Family: Cupressaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized outside native range in middle and Western US, and South Africa
  
• Broad climate suitability
  
• Invades cattle pasture and reduces available forage
  
• Environmental weed by homogenizing diversity, reducing wildlife habitat quality, and altering hydrology and nutrient cycling
  
• Related species are invasive
  
• Possibly allelopathic
  
• Alternate host to the cedar apple rust
  
• Increase fire risk
  
• Forms monocultures within native range
  
• Produces allergenic pollen
  
• Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions
  
• Seeds dispersed by frugivorous birds and mammals
  
• Some seeds persist in soil for over one year
  
• Herbicides not very effective in controlling this tree

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to cattle
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value (used as a Christmas tree)
  
• A dioecious species
  
• Reaches maturity in 10+ years
  
• Will not spread vegetatively
  
• Killed by fire