In most gardens, false cypresses are found in columnar form, regardless of whether they are grown as a hedge or as a single plant. This shape has proven to be particularly beneficial in preventing the ornamental tree from becoming bald.
How do you cut a false cypress tree into shape?
A topiary for false cypresses can be done as a column, cone, ball, straight hedge or bonsai. To prevent baldness, the column shape is optimal. When cutting, make sure that side shoots with needles are left standing so that the plant can sprout again.
That's why the column shape is optimal
Cypresses are naturally quite narrow, but grow quickly in height. If you do not cut the conifer, there is a risk that it will become bare at the bottom and no longer provide any privacy protection after a few years.
There are several ways to cut the false cypress into a pleasing and at the same time optimal shape. Popular shapes are:
- Column or cone
- Ball
- Straight hedge
- Bonsai
When cut to form a cone or column, the false cypress tapers upwards. This means the lower branches get enough light. They continue to sprout and ensure that the conifer remains dense at the bottom.
Cut small cypresses into balls
If you want to beautify your garden with decorative cypress balls, plant varieties that naturally grow more rounded.
For cutting, you should make a template out of cardboard. You can also get them from well-stocked garden shops.
If you want to grow the false cypress as a bonsai, use additional wrapping wire to shape the plant.
Drawn false cypresses as a straight hedge
Cutting a false cypress tree straight is easy, but it doesn't look that nice. If you prefer such a hedge, attach guide lines so that the pruning is as straight as possible.
You can simply cut down false cypress trees that are too tall
If you have not pruned the false cypresses regularly, it will no longer be so easy to cut them into shape.
It has proven to be a good idea to simply cut them off first. To do this, saw off the tips - if possible above eye level, because the plant will be brown at the top in the next few years.
However, over time, new tips cover the brown area. You can then cut them into the shape you want.
Tip
When cutting, make sure that you do not completely cut off the side shoots. There should always be a piece of needles about three centimeters long left on the tree. Then the false cypress will definitely sprout again here.
