Pencil pine is the common name for the Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’), a narrow, upright evergreen conifer that makes a tall, slim screen for tight side boundaries and formal entrances. It is a cypress rather than a true pine, and it suits full sun and well-drained soil across Sydney.
This guide covers where to plant it, how to care for it, the common problems and when to call a gardener or arborist.
Key points
- A pencil pine grows tall and narrow, often several metres high and under 1 m wide (indicative — check the plant label), so it suits tight spaces.
- It needs full sun and free-draining soil, and it struggles in wet clay and in humid, shaded corners.
- Watch for browning foliage and cankers, because dieback is a common problem in Sydney’s humid summers.
- Trimming a small hedge costs about $69 to $205 per job in Sydney, typically $115, but tall trees need a qualified arborist (October 2026).
Pencil pine at a glance
Pencil pine gives a strong vertical line without taking much width. On narrow Inner West terrace blocks it is a classic choice for framing a gate or a driveway.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’ (Italian cypress) |
| Type | Narrow, upright, evergreen conifer |
| Mature size | Several metres tall and under 1 m wide (indicative — check the plant label) |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates poor soil but not waterlogging |
| Water | Low to moderate once established |
| Frost tolerance | Generally hardy in cool areas (indicative — check the plant label) |
| Flowering | Inconspicuous; grown for form and foliage |
| Native? | No, it is a Mediterranean conifer |
Italian pencil pine and other pencil conifer types
Several narrow conifers are sold under the name. The table compares the common choices.
| Plant | Size (indicative) | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian cypress form (Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’) | Tall and slim (indicative — check the label) | Formal entrances, narrow screens | The classic form, widely sold in Sydney nurseries |
| Dwarf Italian cypress | Shorter (indicative — check the label) | Pots, small courtyards | Slower growing, easier to keep in scale |
| Golden or blue-toned pencil conifers | Varies (indicative — check the label) | Feature planting | Colour contrast against green hedges |
| Pencil conifer alternatives | Varies (indicative — check the label) | Narrow boundaries | Check the tag for pest and disease tolerance |
| Tasmanian native (Athrotaxis cupressoides) | Tasmanian alpine conifer | Collectors in cool climates | Rare in cultivation; unrelated to the Italian form |
Where to plant a pencil pine in Sydney
- Choose a full sun position with good airflow, because still, humid corners encourage fungal problems.
- Plant in well-drained soil, and on heavy clay in western Sydney use a mound or raised bed.
- Space plants about 60 cm to 1 m apart for a screen (indicative — check the plant label).
- Keep trunks well away from pipes, drains, paths and house foundations, because roots spread as trees mature.
- Check power line clearances before planting under or near overhead wires.
- Use large pots with excellent drainage on courtyards, and choose a dwarf form for containers.
How to plant a pencil pine
- Water the pot well, then dig a hole about twice the width of the root ball and no deeper (indicative — check the plant label).
- Loosen the sides and base of the hole and mix in compost, plus coarse sand if the soil is heavy.
- Gently tease out circling roots, and lift the plant by the pot rather than the trunk.
- Set the root ball level with or slightly above the soil, because planting too deep invites rot.
- Backfill, firm gently and build a shallow basin to hold water.
- Water in before 10 am or after 4 pm using a trigger nozzle, and never leave the hose running.
- Stake taller plants for the first season if needed, and mulch clear of the trunk.
Caring for pencil pine
| Task | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Regularly in the first season | Water deeply and less often as it establishes, following Sydney Water’s Water Wise Guidelines |
| Feeding | Spring | Use a conifer or general fertiliser registered for the job, following the label |
| Mulching | Autumn | Keep a mulch ring clear of the trunk to prevent collar rot |
| Light trimming | Late spring to early summer | Trim only green growth; avoid cutting into bare brown wood |
| Airflow check | Humid summers | Thin crowded plantings and clear weeds to reduce fungal problems |
| Pest and disease watch | Spring and summer | Look for browning tips, resin bleeding and mites; book a licensed pest controller for insects |
Pruning and using pencil pine as a screen
Pencil pine needs little pruning if you choose the right spot. Our hedges guide covers the basic cuts for screens.
- Remove dead or damaged tips with clean, sharp secateurs, and cut back to healthy green growth.
- Avoid hard pruning into old brown wood, because conifers often do not reshoot from it.
- Tie in or stake wayward stems that splay, before they distort the shape.
- Plant a row for a screen, but allow a gap to prevent overcrowding and airflow problems.
- Use powered trimmers only inside NSW noise hours, and book an arborist for tall trees or work from a ladder.
Common pencil pine problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Browning patches of foliage | Canker disease, drought stress or mites | Remove affected branches and improve airflow; book an arborist if it spreads |
| Resin oozing from branches | Canker infection | Prune out the damaged wood and disinfect tools between cuts |
| Yellowing foliage | Wet soil or poor drainage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaning or splayed stems | Wind, heavy rain or weak staking | Stake and tie, and check the root ball is stable |
| Fine webbing and bronzing | Spider mites in hot, dry spells | Book a licensed pest controller for treatment |
| Thin, bare base | Shade or crowded planting | Allow more light and space; replace if needed |
When to call a gardener or arborist for tall conifers
- The tree is taller than you can safely reach from the ground, or the work needs a ladder; book a qualified arborist.
- Branches grow near power lines, which is work for qualified arborists only.
- You want to remove a large tree; check your council’s tree rules first, and compare resilient lilly pilly varieties if you plan to replace it.
- Disease is spreading along the row and you need a diagnosis.
- Pests such as mites or scale keep returning; book a licensed pest controller.
- You need regular hedge trimming and green waste removal across a long boundary.
Trimming and tree work costs in Sydney
Prices include GST and reflect Sydney metro rates for October 2026.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hedge trimming, small hedge (per job) | $69 | $115 | $205 |
| Gardener (per hour) | $52 | $75 | $115 |
| Tree pruning or trimming (per tree) | $230 | $520 | $1,375 |
| Small tree removal (under 5 m) | $290 | $575 | $920 |
| Medium tree removal (5–10 m) | $920 | $1,725 | $2,875 |
FAQ: pencil pine questions
What is an Italian pencil pine?
An Italian pencil pine is a narrow, upright evergreen conifer, botanically Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’, also known as Italian cypress. It grows tall and slim, which makes it popular for formal entrances and tight boundaries.
Is a conifer pencil pine a true pine?
No. It belongs to the cypress family, not the true pines. The name reflects its slim, pencil-like shape, which is why nurseries also list it as an Italian cypress or a pencil conifer.
How tall do Italian pencil pines grow?
They grow tall and narrow, often several metres high in Sydney gardens. Check the nursery label for the size of your variety, and allow for the full height before you plant near power lines or buildings.
Why is my pencil conifer turning brown?
Browning usually comes from canker, drought stress, mites or poor drainage. Remove affected branches, improve airflow and avoid overwatering. If the browning spreads, book an arborist for a proper diagnosis.
Getting your screen trimmed and cared for in Sydney
If you’d rather not climb a ladder, we trim hedges, shape screens and clear green waste across Sydney. Book hedge trimming in Sydney and get an itemised quote.
