Content
- Important tips for cutting cypresses
- Cut back cypresses
- When is the best time to cut?
- Cut cypresses properly
- Shorten cypress hedges properly
- How to cut cypresses into shape
- Cut cypress as bonsai
- Use clean tool
- Tips
Cypress hedges should be regularly shaped
Important tips for cutting cypresses
You do not have to cut a cypress, which you cultivate as a solitary tree. However, the tree is down in the past with time. In the hedge, the tree needs a regular pruning, so that the privacy is maintained and the cypress hedge is not too high.
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Cypress trees can easily reach a height of ten meters or more. In a hedge, this is not desirable, especially as too high hedges quickly lead to problems with the neighbors.
If a cypress is not cut back at all, it gets frosted inside with time. In a solitary tree that is usually desired, but not in a hedge, because it is then no longer opaque after some time.
Since cypresses are only partially winter hardy, they should be cut at least once a year as young plants. This will make the branches more robust and survive frosts better. In addition, shortening stimulates the formation of new shoots, so that a hedge becomes denser and a cypress receives a pleasing shape as a single tree.
When is the best time to cut?
The best time to cut cypresses is just before or after the growth phase. With a single cut per year, you can grab the pruning shears either in spring or in August or early September. Basically, you can still reduce cypress in winter.
For cutting, choose a tag that
is. In strong sunlight, the interfaces dry out and become unsightly brown. If the humidity is too high, there is a risk of water entering the wood through the interfaces and causing the branches to rot.
Cut cypresses properly
When cutting cypresses, you must be careful. A wrong cut does not forgive the tree. Avoid cutting directly into old wood. The cypress remains bare at these spots.
Dried or sick branches may be removed at any time and completely. Healthy branches should be cut as sparingly as possible. So that a cypress hedge does not get too high, you may cut it off quietly. The newly sprouting side branches quickly cover the bald spots.
If possible, cut cypress trees with an electric pruner that has very sharp blades. With blunt scissors tear the shoots. As a result of the injuries, pathogens can enter the tree. It always cuts from top to bottom, otherwise the branches bend away from the pair of scissors.
Shorten cypress hedges properly
Already in the second year after planting you should cut back a cypress hedge for the first time. This makes the plants more resistant and less sensitive to frost. In addition, they branch out better then.
Cover the hedge even if it has not yet reached the desired final height. To do this, cut the trees at the top by about one third of the annual growth.
Since the cypresses are fast growing, the interfaces are covered over the course of the year. If you cut back the hedge by one third with each pruning, the intended height is 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 specific shapes. Especially popular is the cloud form.
In order to bring the cypress in a specific shape, it is advisable to use stencils or wire mesh, along which the pruning is carried out.
A cut of cypress trees is necessary twice a year, in spring and in August. Small protruding branches may be cut off at any time.
Make sure that you never injure the old wood in the cypress.
Cut cypress as bonsai
Some cypress species are very easy to care for and cut as bonsai. This includes:
The pruning of cypress trees as bonsai takes place continuously, whereby once more in the spring and once at the end of summer is cut more.
Use clean tool
Although cypresses are quite robust, they occasionally suffer from fungal diseases or pests. So that pathogens are not transmitted to or through cypresses, only use cutting tools that you have thoroughly cleaned before. Even after shortening you should clean the scissors carefully.
Unfortunately, cypresses are poisonous, in all plant parts. A real danger of poisoning exists only if plant parts are actually eaten. However, sensitive people do not tolerate the sap leaves when cutting. Your skin reacts with inflammation. Always wear gloves when cutting cypress trees.
Do not leave cuts left over when children or pets are using the garden.
Tips
Some cypress species such as the Leyland cypress are very fast growing. They have to be cut twice a year to keep them in shape and not too high. The first cut takes place in spring, the second in August or September.