You don't have to cut a cypress that you care for as a solitary tree. However, the tree below becomes bare over time. In the hedge, the tree needs regular pruning so that the privacy is maintained and the cypress hedge does not become too high.
How do I prune cypress trees correctly?
To prune cypress trees correctly, choose a frost-free, not too sunny or not too rainy day. Cut he althy branches sparingly and avoid waste wood. Use sharp tools and cut from top to bottom.
Cutting back cypress trees
Cypresses can easily reach a height of ten meters or more. This is not desirable with a hedge, especially since hedges that are too high quickly lead to problems with the neighbors.
If a cypress is not cut back at all, it will become bare inside over time. This is usually desired for a solitary tree, but not for a hedge because after a while it will no longer be 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 survives frosts better. In addition, shortening stimulates the formation of new shoots, so that a hedge becomes denser and a cypress as a single tree has a pleasing shape.
When is the best time to trim?
The best time to prune cypress trees is right before or after the growing season. If you cut once a year, use pruning shears either in spring or in August or early September. In principle, you can still shorten cypress trees in winter.
Choose a day to cut
- frost-free
- not too sunny
- not too rainy
is. When exposed to 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.
Cut cypress trees correctly
You must be careful when cutting cypress trees. The tree will not forgive an incorrect cut. Avoid cutting directly into scrap wood. The cypress remains bare in these places.
You can remove dried or diseased branches completely at any time. He althy branches, on the other hand, should be shortened as sparingly as possible. So that a cypress hedge doesn't get too high, you can trim it down. The newly sprouting side branches quickly cover the bare spots.
If possible, cut cypress trees with electric secateurs (€98.00 on Amazon), which have very sharp blades. If the scissors are blunt, the shoots will tear. The injuries can cause disease germs to get into the tree. Always cut from top to bottom, otherwise the branches will bend away from the scissors.
Short cypress hedges correctly
You should cut back a cypress hedge for the first time in the second year after planting. This makes the plants more resilient and less sensitive to frost. They also branch out better.
Crop the hedge even if it has not yet reached the desired final height. To do this, shorten the top of the trees by around a third of their annual growth.
Since the cypresses grow quickly, the interfaces are covered over the course of the year. If you cut the hedge back by a third each time you prune, the intended height will be reached within a few years.
How to cut cypress trees to shape
Most cypress species have a slender columnar shape. But they can also be cut into specific shapes. The cloud shape is particularly popular.
In order to give the cypress a certain shape, it is advisable to use templates or wire mesh along which the pruning is carried out.
Cypress trees need to be pruned twice a year, in spring and August. You can cut off small protruding branches at any time.
Make sure that you never damage the old wood of the cypress.
Cutting cypress as a bonsai
Some types of cypress are very easy to care for and cut as bonsai. These include:
- Arizona Cypress
- Blue Arizonica Cypress
- Monterey Cypress
- Gold Cypress
The pruning of cypress trees as bonsai is carried out continuously, with greater shortening once in spring and once at the end of summer.
Use clean tools
Cypress trees are quite robust, but they occasionally suffer from fungal diseases or pests. To prevent pathogens from being transmitted to or through cypress trees, only use cutting tools that have been thoroughly cleaned beforehand. You should also clean the scissors carefully after shortening them.
Unfortunately, cypresses are poisonous, in all parts of the plant. There is only a real risk of poisoning if plant parts are actually eaten. However, sensitive people cannot tolerate the plant sap that comes out when cutting. Your skin reacts to this with inflammation. Therefore, always wear gloves when shortening cypress trees.
Do not leave cuttings lying around when children or pets are using the garden.
Tip
Some cypress species 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 done in spring, the second in August or September.
