When properly cared for, cypresses are robust trees that grow quickly and are very decorative. However, if the care is not correct or fungal diseases or pests attack the trees, there is a great risk that the cypress will die. How to prevent the conifer from dying.
How do you save a dying cypress tree?
To save an incoming cypress, cut off brown or yellow needles and branches, ensure sufficient moisture without waterlogging, provide enough nutrients and protect the cypress from frost. Plant protection products are helpful for fungal diseases.
Causes why cypress trees die
You can tell that a cypress is not doing well because the new shoots are only growing sparsely or appear weak. Caution is always advised if the needles or shoot tips turn yellow or brown. The cypress will die if you don't take action in time.
The reasons why a cypress tree dies are varied. Often it is due to too much or too little moisture in the soil. Sometimes too few nutrients or the wrong fertilizer are responsible for the conifer no longer growing.
It is hopeless if the cypress is affected by bark beetles or fungal diseases. The only solution here is to tear out the cypress so that more plants are not affected.
Cut off brown and yellow areas immediately
Always keep an eye on your cypress or cypress hedge. The sooner you do something about problems, the sooner you can prevent the conifer from dying.
If you spot any brown or yellow needles on the tips, cut them off immediately. Only use clean cutting tools that you must clean thoroughly after work. This will prevent further spread of diseases or pests.
If possible, never cut directly into the old wood, as the cypress remains bare in such places.
Help with fungal diseases
If the cypress has brown branches on the inside that extend outwards, the fungal disease Phytophthora cinnamomi may be present. It is mainly caused by wetness.
Cut off affected branches and dispose of them in household waste. Treat the cypress with special pesticides that you can get from gardening stores.
Prevention through proper care
- Sunny to partially shaded location
- no waterlogging
- Never allow roots to dry out
- provide sufficient nutrients
- protect against frost outdoors
Tip
Cypresses are only partially hardy. They cannot tolerate extended periods of frost. Make sure you have adequate winter protection and don't forget to water the cypress even in winter.
