You don't have to cut a cypress tree that you care for as a solitary tree. However, the tree below will bare over time. In the hedge, the tree needs regular pruning so that the privacy screen is maintained and the cypress hedge does not become too high.

Cypress hedges should be trimmed regularly

Cut back cypresses

Cypresses can easily reach a height of ten meters and more. With a hedge, this is not desirable, especially since hedges that are too high quickly lead to problems with the neighbors.

If a cypress is not pruned at all, it will bare on the inside over time. This is usually desirable for a solitary tree, but not for a hedge, because after a while it is no longer opaque.

Since cypresses are only partially hardy, they should be cut at least once a year as young plants. This makes the branches more robust and better able to withstand frosts. In addition, pruning stimulates the formation of new shoots, so that a hedge becomes denser and a cypress tree has a pleasing shape as a single tree.

When is the best time to trim?

The best time to prune cypress is just before or after the growing season. For a one-off cut per year, use secateurs either in spring or in August or early September. Basically, you can still cut cypresses in winter.

For cutting, choose a day that

  • Frost free
  • not too sunny
  • not too rainy

is. In strong sunlight, the interfaces dry out and turn unsightly brown. If the humidity is too high, there is a risk that water will get into the wood through the interfaces and the branches will rot.

Pruning cypresses properly

When pruning cypress trees, you need to be careful. The tree does not forgive a wrong cut. Avoid cutting directly into scrap wood. The cypress remains bare in these places.

You can completely remove dried or diseased branches at any time. Healthy branches, on the other hand, should be shortened as sparingly as possible. So that a cypress hedge does not get too high, you can cut it. The newly sprouting side branches quickly cover the bald spots.

If possible, cut cypress trees with electric secateurs, which have very sharp shearing blades. With blunt scissors, the shoots tear. Disease germs can get into the tree through the injuries. Always cut from top to bottom, otherwise the branches will bend away from the scissors.

Cut cypress hedges properly

You should cut back a cypress hedge for the first time in the second year after planting. This makes the plants more resistant and less sensitive to frost. They also branch out better then.

Trim the hedge even if it has not yet reached the desired final height. To do this, cut the trees up by about a third of the annual growth.

Since the cypresses are fast-growing, the cutting points are covered over the course of the year. If you prune the hedge by a third each time you prune, the intended height will be reached within a few years.

How to cut cypresses into shape

Most cypress species have a slender columnar shape. But they can also be cut into certain shapes. The cloud shape is particularly popular.

In order to bring the cypress into a certain shape, it is advisable to use templates or wire mesh along which the pruning is carried out.

A topiary of cypresses is necessary twice a year, namely in spring and in August. You can cut off small protruding branches at any time.

Make absolutely sure that you never damage the old wood with the cypress.

Cut cypress as bonsai

Some cypress species can be cared for and cut very well as bonsai. This includes:

  • Arizona cypress
  • Blue Arizona cypress
  • Monterey Cypress
  • Gold Cypress

The pruning of cypresses as bonsai is done continuously, with more cuts once in spring and once at the end of summer.

Use clean tools

Although cypresses are quite robust, they occasionally suffer from fungal diseases or pests. To avoid spreading pathogens on or through cypress trees, only use cutting tools that you have thoroughly cleaned beforehand. You should also clean the scissors carefully after cutting them.

Unfortunately, cypress is poisonous in all parts of the plant. There is only a real risk of poisoning if parts of the plant are actually eaten. However, sensitive people cannot tolerate the plant sap that escapes when cutting. Your skin responds with inflammation. Therefore, always wear gloves when cutting cypresses.

Do not leave clippings lying around when children or pets are using the garden.

tips

Some types of cypress, such as the Leyland cypress, are very fast-growing. They need to be trimmed twice a year to keep them in shape and not get too tall. The first cut is made in spring, the second in August or September.

Category:

Trees