Cupressus stephensonii is a species of conifer known as the Cuyamaca Cypress. It exists only in the headwaters of King Creek, south of Cuyamaca Peak in San Diego County, California. It was listed as a vulnerable species, but the last assessment occurred in 1998, before the entire world population of the tree was reduced to thirty or forty individuals by the 2003 Cedar Fire. Wolf reported trees as low as 3,000 feet in elevation but the presence of these individuals today has not been verified. Most individuals occur at 4,500 to 5,100 feet in King Creek Research Natural Area. Cupressus stephensonii may attain heights of 10 to 16 meter (33 to 52 feet). It usually forms a spreading tree with a central leader, only slightly taller than it is wide. Female cones about 10 millimeter in diameter, cone scales 6-8, but mostly 6, often, but not always, with conspicuous umbos 3-4 millimeter high and conical. Seeds average 100-125 per cone, not at all waxy pale. Cotyledons 3-4. It is the only California Cypress species to release pollen in the summertime.