The sickle fir, which originally comes from Japan, is an exceptionally beautiful cypress tree. It is used both as a bonsai and as a large outdoor plant. But how compatible is it with cutting and what is essential to consider when cutting?
When is the best time to prune a sickle fir?
Although the sickle fir has a natural, harmonious growth habit and rarely needs pruning, it can be pruned in late summer on dry, cloudy days to maintain its shape, reduce height or remove diseased branches. Cut branches slightly at an angle, about 5 mm above a bud.
Naturally harmonious growth – cutting is unnecessary
The great habit is one of the unbeatable advantages of the sickle fir. He is naturally beautifully formed. Its growth pattern is straight like a candle and shows pure symmetry! The branches hang picturesquely over the sides.
The sickle fir often reaches a height of 8 m and even more. But it will take several decades to get to that point because it grows extremely slowly. Both the natural shape and the weak growth generally make pruning unnecessary.
Reasons to cut
But there can be various reasons that make a cut sensible. These include, among others:
- to maintain a specific shape
- trimmed in height (too tall)
- for removing diseased, dead twigs and branches
- for removing crossing branches or branches that are too close together
- to prevent baldness from the inside out
Ideal cutting time: late summer
The ideal time to cut the sickle fir is in late summer. But since it tolerates pruning well, it can also be cut on frost-free days the rest of the year. Nevertheless, late summer around August is and remains the best choice. Choose a dry and ideally cloudy day for the cut!
Radical cut only in exceptional cases
The sickle fir can tolerate even radical pruning. You can cut deep into your old wood. However, such a cut is generally not necessary and only makes sense in exceptional cases. It then takes a while for the sickle fir to sprout again.
Goal: win offshoots
A cut is also appropriate to obtain offshoots. This should be noted:
- between October and November
- cut 15 to 20 cm long, two-year-old shoots
- remove the needles in the lower third
- Place cuttings in potting soil and keep moist
- place in a bright, moderately warm place
- Rooting over the winter period
Tip
Cut the branches slightly diagonally and about 5 mm above a bud!
