The really tall skinny evergreen trees that grow all over Italy, what is the name for them? In english I've heard the name is column something. I'm certain that someone on ST will know the answer! Grazie!

Cipressi?

The skinny ones are male black Tuscan cypress. The bushier ones (less desirable) are female.

They are typically and customarily used to identify cemetaries (since they represent the wood crosses used in crucifixions) but make for a nice driveway markers!

Lisa

The Mediterranean Cypress, also called Italian, Tuscan, or Graveyard Cypress, grows all around the Mediterranean, not just in Italy. It's a signature tree from Spain to Turkey, from Italy to Libya.

And fortunately they do not identify cemeteries only

These are not hardy where I live north of Boston. But when I got back from Rome last year, I was inspired to prune my poor deer-mauled arborvitaes into that shape. Now I have a little bit of Italia in my garden--looks quite convincing (IMHO).

Ginny, how about a picture?

Ginny, What a great idea! I wonder if there are some deep green types. Mine are somewhat yellowish green but I guess they could be trompe l'oeil in the twilight.

I am embarrassed to say that I still use film so I can't post photos. Also, most arborvitaes are mid to dark green but if you have a yellow-tipped form, I'd try it anyway.

Trim clean any bottom wood that has been denuded of its foliage by deer so it is bare, like the very old cypresses you see in Italy. Then shear the rest of the plant into a narrow, columnar or slightly ovoid shape, pointed at the top like Italian cypresses. Pour a glass of vino and enjoy! Who's to know you didn't plan it that way all along?

Ginny,

That is so funny about pruning the arborvitae as that was what we were planning to do! Thanks everyone for the info!

There are lots of columnar evergreens that make an upright column with no need for trimming, and will live in most of the USA. Skyrocket Juniper and California Incense Cedar come to mind, but there are many others. My own driveway here in Arkansas is lined with incense cedars and they're beautiful (but they won't grow well much south of northern Arkansas). They aren't Italy, but with a little imagination it comes close!

Search online nurseries or talk to a good local garden center. You won't find them at a big box store.

Patrick, the pruning was a response to heavy browsing by deer, ruining the natural form of the arborvitae, thus trying to "make limoncello out of lemons". But you are right that in the northern US we do have some shrubs/trees that by nature have the form of Italian cypresses, tho not the height or the majesty.