Trimming A Cypress Tree: Professional Tips

In order for the cypress to keep its beautiful shape, it must be trimmed regularly. What you should pay attention to when cutting back cypress trees is explained here. Cypresses (Cupressus) are wonderful ornamental trees and bushes for the garden. Fast growth is one of their specialties and they are also extremely tolerant of trimming.

Since they are also evergreen and extremely dense, they make a wonderful picture as a screen and hedge. However, to prevent them from becoming overgrown, they require regular trimming. Once a year is a rule here, although Leyland cypresses (Cupressocyparis leylandii) can also be trimming twice a year.

The right time to trimming cypresses

Regarding the pruning, cypresses are fortunately not so squeamish due to their vigor. Please note, however, that garden shrubs of any kind must not be trimming too much in the period from March 1 to September 30. This also applies to cypresses, of course. This rule is intended to prevent birds and other animals from being disturbed while nesting.

Trimming is sensitive and direct sunlight can cause burns, in rain fungi and infections penetrate and frost and cold also cause damage. Therefore a mild and overcast day in October is optimal.

How to proceed when trimming cypresses

Not all cypresses are the same. At least 16 species – depending on how the individual species are classified – the genus of cypress (Cupressus) alone counts. And then there are of course the related dummy cypresses (Chamaecyparis), which are often mentioned in the same breath.

Although all the related species are quite resistant to trimming and are fast-growing, you should adapt the trimming to the growth. Mediterranean cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens), for example, grow quickly at the beginning, but the larger they become, the slower their growth becomes.

With regard to the trimming technique, as with other shrubs, it is also important to create an angled pruning edge. This prevents water from standing on the edge and makes it harder for fungi and diseases to grow. Of course, you should always use sharp and clean trimming shears.

But before you start, you should be aware that removing the top of the plant has far-reaching consequences. If it is cut off radically, it will also remove certain cells responsible for height growth.

As a result, the cypresses will no longer be able to grow in height but will continue to grow in width. This leads to a permanent, strongly altered growth form. The best way to support the natural shape is to cut back the cypress. For this purpose, you should trim the sides in particular.

If you do not do this, the cypress can gradually become bald from the inside out. When Trimming, however, make sure that you do not get into the brown and dead branches, because these gaps may never close again. Radical trimming should therefore be done with caution and should be spread over several years.

If you would like to plant the cypresses as a hedge, you can also support their natural growth. Especially with Mediterranean cypresses, this leads to a beautiful picture. However, some species such as the Leyland cypress are also suitable for the typical hedge cut.

Procedure for Trimming the cypress – the most important points:

• Use clean and sharp tools.
• Bevel Trimming edge.
• Do not cut off the tip in order not to disturb the natural growth form.
• Trim pages to prevent clogging.
• Stay in green leaf areas, do not cut the brown areas.
• Leyland-cypress is also suitable for hedge shape.