American Conifer Society

08/26/2026

We’re ready to walk the show over the next few days at the Oregon Convention Center. Let’s see what the wholesalers here in conifer country have to offer this year at the FarWest Show

08/26/2026

The American Conifer Society appreciates Eshraghi Nurseries for generously donating several Japanese maples to support fundraising at our recent National Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

Eshraghi Nurseries is a wholesale grower based in Hillsboro, Oregon, specializing in an impressive selection of specialty Japanese maples and grafted conifers, with more than 60–150 varieties available.

Eshraghi was one of four nurseries on the wholesale nursery tour this year on the FarWest Show.

https://www.eshraghinursery.com/

08/25/2026

It was fascinating to visit Buchholz Nursery outside Portland, Oregon, as one of the stops on the Farwest Show 2026 pre-conference tour. Buchholz may potentially become a retail division of MrMaple, and some of its distinctive conifers and Japanese maples are already available online.

Our member Jacob, owner of Matsu Gardens, even spotted Mr. Talon Buchholz quietly working out in the field—a memorable moment during the visit.

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08/25/2026

Spruce (Picea) needles grow singly from small, woody pegs called sterigmata (or pulvini). These pegs remain after the needles fall, giving spruce twigs their characteristic rough texture. The needles are spirally arranged, although they may appear radial or somewhat two-ranked depending on their orientation.

08/25/2026

Pinus canariensis (Canary Island pine) has an unusual trait called leaf heteroblasty, meaning that even adult trees retain the ability to produce both juvenile (primary) and mature (secondary) needles. This becomes especially noticeable after severe stress such as fire, when surviving trees activate dormant epicormic buds and produce new shoots that often begin with juvenile needles before developing mature foliage. The two needle types have different functional strengths, giving the tree greater flexibility during recovery. Together with its thick bark and remarkable epicormic resprouting ability, leaf heteroblasty is part of the Canary Island pine’s distinctive strategy for surviving and recovering from severe environmental disturbance.

08/20/2026

Farwest 26! FarWest 2026! It’s a B2B nursery show

08/20/2026

We reached out to the National Park Service to learn more about the island population of Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana), one of the rarest pine species native to the United States.

The Santa Rosa Island Fire burned from May 15 to June 4, 2026, scorching 18,379 acres—nearly 40% of the island—within Channel Islands National Park.

Unfortunately, Torrey pine is not particularly fire tolerant. The natural fire-return interval for Torrey pine woodland, the plant community in which it occurs, is estimated to range from approximately 30 to 150 years.

(Picture credits: Keith Park)

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

From Sierra Nevada to Water-Winter Wonderland!

Arboretum Detroit is working with Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (AATA), an organization specializing in propagating genetically significant ancient trees.

The principal concentration is at MoKirby Park, where AATA-propagated giant sequoias have been planted. The collection includes descendants of famous old-growth sequoias, including the Stagg and Waterfall trees. Arboretum Detroit describes the plant material as a combination of cloned and seed-propagated trees.

Sharp drainage and constant soil moisture in Summer are the key to cultivate Giant Sequoia outside of its native range.

Details: https://www.arbdetroit.org/blog/2025/3/18/giant-sequoias-get-peoples-attention

08/17/2026

“The Arizona cypress (Hesperocyparis arizonica) features roughly 30 cultivated selections and 5 accepted natural botanical varieties. These resilient evergreen conifers are widely planted as ornamental landscape specimens, sheared privacy hedges, and farm-raised Christmas trees across arid and temperate zones.”

Native Distribution: W. TX to extreme s. NV, s. AZ & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Hot, dry canyons & stream banks from 3000 to 7000 ft.

Very versatile! Handle different growing conditions beautifully

🌲 Arizona Cypress is the only Cypress native to the southwest, where its conical, Christmas tree shape stands out against the often irregular crowns of other desert trees. This conifer creates a cooling, woodsy effect in the landscape, and looks best when allowed to grow naturally with little or no pruning.

Height: 30ft to 40ft
Width:15ft to 20ft
Cold Hardiness: 15°F
Full to Part Sun

🚛 We Plant and Deliver!
📍 5301 S Houghton Rd
📞 520-546-9200

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