Cut back cypress trees
Cypresses can easily reach a height of ten meters and more. In the case of a hedge, this is not desirable, especially since hedges that are too high can quickly lead to problems with neighbors.
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If a cypress is not cut back at all, it will become bald inside over time. This is usually desired for a solitary tree, but not for a hedge, because after a while it is no longer opaque.
Since cypresses are only partially hardy, they should at least be cut once a year as young plants. This makes the branches more robust and withstands frosts better. In addition, shortening stimulates the formation of new shoots, so that a hedge becomes denser and a cypress tree is given a pleasing shape as a single tree.
When is the best time to cut?
The best time to prune cypress trees is right before or after the growth phase. With a one-time cut per year, you can use secateurs either in spring, in August or in early September. Basically, you can still shorten cypress trees in winter.
For cutting, choose a day that
- 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 through the interfaces into the wood and the branches will rot.
Cut cypresses properly
When cutting cypress trees, you need to be careful. The tree does not forgive a wrong cut. Avoid cutting directly into the waste wood. The cypress remains bare in these places.
You can remove dried or diseased twigs completely at any time. Healthy branches, on the other hand, should be shortened as sparingly as possible. So that a cypress hedge does not get too high, you can trim it. The newly emerging side branches quickly cover the bald spots.
If possible, cut cypress trees with electric secateurs that have very sharp shear blades. If the scissors are blunt, the shoots tear. The injuries can cause germs to get into the tree. Always cut from top to bottom, otherwise the branches will bend away from the scissors.
Shorten 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 resistant and less sensitive to frost. They also branch out better then.
Trim the hedge even if it has not yet reached the desired final height. To do this, shorten the trees above by around a 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 a third each time you cut it, the intended height will be reached within a few years.
How to cut cypress trees into shape
Most species of cypress have a slender columnar shape. But they can also be cut into certain shapes. The cloud shape is particularly popular.
In order to bring the cypress into a certain shape, it is advisable to use templates or wire mesh along which the pruning is carried out.
Cypress trees need to be shaped twice a year, in spring and August. You can cut off small protruding branches at any time.
Make absolutely sure that you never damage the old wood of the cypress.
Cut cypress as a bonsai
Some cypress species can be cared for and pruned very well as bonsai. This includes:
- Arizona cypress
- Blue Arizonica Cypress
- Monterey cypress
- Gold cypress
The pruning of cypresses as bonsai takes place continuously, with more cuts once in spring and once at the end of summer.
Use clean tools
Although cypresses are quite robust, they occasionally suffer from fungal diseases or pests. To prevent pathogens from being transferred to or through cypress trees, only use cutting tools that you have cleaned thoroughly beforehand. You should also clean the scissors carefully after shortening them.
Unfortunately, cypresses are poisonous in all parts of the plant. A real risk of poisoning exists only if parts of the plant are actually eaten. However, sensitive people cannot tolerate the sap that escapes when cutting. Your skin reacts to this with inflammation. Therefore, always wear gloves when cutting cypress trees.
Do not leave trimmings lying around when children or pets use the garden.
Tips
Some cypress species such as the Leyland cypress are very fast-growing. They need to be pruned twice a year to keep them in shape and not get too tall. The first cut is made in spring, the second in August or September.
