Cypresses should be pruned once a year. Here we explain when the best time is and what needs to be considered when editing.
Whether cypresses are planted as a hedge or as a tree in the hobby garden, the right pruning is crucial for these plants so that they can thrive magnificently. In addition, cypresses grow extremely quickly, especially compared to many other plants. This also makes regular pruning necessary so that the cypresses can continue to maintain their shapely appearance, which is very important for a hedge.
However, it is important to keep the correct planting distance when planting, so that the cypresses in the garden do not have to be cut back too radically. We'll tell you what else all hobby gardeners should know about pruning cypresses.
Why is it so important to prune cypress trees?
Pruning the cypress is not just about bringing the plant into the most attractive shape possible so that it can decorate your own hobby garden. Rather, this plant also tends to develop bare, dry patches over time. If these were not cut back, the plant would become bare over time.
This is of course not desirable, especially with a cypress hedge. Otherwise, the bare hedge would mean that it would no longer be opaque and would therefore have difficulty fulfilling its intended purpose as a privacy screen. With a solitary tree, this effect can be desirable. With a cypress hedge, however, pruning is a must.
In addition, pruning cypresses has a positive effect on the growth of the plants, as it stimulates the formation of new shoots that can replace the old, bare spots. In addition, a cypress that is pruned regularly is much more robust in the long run than a cypress that is not. This also affects the winter hardiness of the plant. The plant can withstand the next frost much better after the annual pruning.
When should cypresses be pruned?
The ideal time to prune a cypress is in late summer. From the end of August to September, the cypress can be pruned annually. This pays off insofar as the plants draw attention to themselves next year with beautiful, even and, above all, he althy growth.
It is only possible to cut the cypress back into October when the weather is really mild. A not too sunny, rather cloudy day is the perfect opportunity for pruning these plants. In addition, it makes sense to start pruning the cypress in the morning.
Because then the cypress plants have enough time to dry out at the cuts without the plant drying out and possibly being damaged. Excessive solar radiation and the blazing midday sun could otherwise easily have this effect. So the earlier in the day you finish pruning the cypress, the better it is for the plants. These precautionary measures will also have a positive effect on growth in the coming year.
A rainy day is also not ideal for pruning the cypress. Otherwise too much water could possibly penetrate through the fresh cuts directly into the branches of the cypress. In the worst case, this could mean that the branches simply start to rot if the cypress wood has become too waterlogged.
Tip:
Only the so-called false cypress is a frost-resistant tree. All hobby gardeners can therefore prune these plants if necessary, even in the winter months.
Pruning back dry patches regularly
While pruning back once a year is a sensible thing to do, it's also important to look out for dry patches. In cypresses, these can form primarily in the lower part of the plant and inside.
The dry branches and plant parts should therefore be removed at regular intervals so that they do not rob the plant of any further strength. In addition, this also pretties up the appearance of the cypresses, since the dried-up areas can no longer spoil the overall impression.
Pay attention to the growth habit when pruning
In terms of its natural growth form, the cypress is somewhat peculiar. All home gardeners should therefore exercise the utmost care to ensure they prune the cypress in a manner consistent with its natural growth.
This tip applies above all in the area oftip to consider. Not too much should be cut away there, otherwise the cypress could lose its growth habit and grow wild and untidy.
The correct cutting technique
The cutting technique not only affects the growth form of the cypress, you should never cut into the old wood of the plant. There the cypress will not grow back and will remain bare forever. In addition, he althy branches should only be shortened as little as possible, while a radical cut is generally recommended for diseased or completely dried out branches.
Electric secateurs are ideal for pruning. It should be as sharp as possible, otherwise a tool that is too blunt could quickly tear off the shoots. Unfortunately, once the cypress has suffered such an injury, it is much more susceptible to pathogens. It is therefore important to clean the secateurs thoroughly before pruning, so that the transmission of germs through the cutting tool can be avoided.
In addition, the cut should be made from top to bottom. Then the twigs and branches cannot easily bend away from the secateurs. The plant should be shortened by a maximum of one third of the growth it has achieved in the current year.
Radical Cut Tips
In general, cypress trees don't like a radical pruning that much. In the worst case, the plant can even die completely if it is cut back too much. Nevertheless, there can certainly be reasons that speak in favor of a radical cutback.
If this is the case, however, the radical pruning of the cypress must not be carried out in a single year. Rather, this should be done over a period of several years. This is far gentler on the plant. If you want to cut your cypress in this way, you will have to be patient, as the plant turns out to be quite demanding - at least in this respect.
By only pruning the cypress hedge a little each year, it can grow much more evenly over time. Even young cypress plants can be cut back in moderation in the first year. Annual pruning should therefore become a habit with this plant.
Caution when pruning - the cypress is poisonous
All parts of this plant are poisonous. Even if just consuming the plant could lead to true poisoning, sensitive people may experience contact with the juices of theCypress react with unpleasant skin irritations. Therefore, all home gardeners should put on gloves before pruning their cypress.
Contact of the plant juices with the eyes must also be avoided at all costs. In addition, it is best to remove the cuttings immediately so that pets and children do not come into contact with the poisonous parts of the plant in the first place.
Pruning cypresses as bonsai or in shape
A topiary is particularly popular with cypresses. Above all, the cloud shape is very much appreciated by many hobby gardeners. A template can be used for this. Special wire meshes can also be very useful when pruning cypresses.
Unlike pruning, topiary should be done twice a year, namely in spring and late summer, more precisely in August. Here, too, it is important that the old wood of the plant is not damaged under any circumstances. If you want to keep a cypress as a bonsai, you should choose one of the following varieties:
- Arizona
- Monterey
- Blue Arizonaica
- Gold
Continuous pruning is required to turn a cypress tree into a bonsai. The cypress bonsai should be cut back more once in spring and towards the end of summer.
Conclusion - the most important tips summarized
Finally, we would like to summarize the most important tips for the correct pruning of a cypress for you:
- Annual pruning in August or September (only in mild weather also in October).
- Pruning large areas no more than once a year
- Always cut back dry spots if necessary.
- Carry out pruning according to the growth form of the plant.
- Perform a radical cut over a period of several years.
- Don't do without regular pruning, otherwise cypresses will spread quite a bit.
- Also cut back young plants a little in the first year.
- Pruning should be done on a day without too much sun.
- The morning is a good time for pruning the cypress so that the cuttings don't dry out too much during the day.
- Annual pruning makes the cypress particularly hardy.
- It is better not to prune on a rainy day to avoid unnecessary risk of rotting branches.
- The cypress either with the help of a template orof a wire mesh into the desired shape.
- Never cut directly into the reclaimed wood and use sharp, clean, electric pruning shears to trim the cypress tree.
- It is best to wear protective gloves when cutting back the plant.
- Clean the secateurs thoroughly after pruning and dispose of all plant parts that have been cut off immediately.