Grown in the best conditions, a Cypress can reach a great height, with some varieties being able to peak at 25 meters. It is a very graphic tree that evokes Mediterranean landscapes. It does not cause any particular problems, which is why it is ideal for gardeners without experience. Be careful however, its pollen is allergenic. Let’s take stock of the planting of this beautiful coniferousits maintenance and the different possible uses.
Plant a Cypress
The best time to plant a Cypress is early fall, when the ground is warm and the first frosts have not yet arrived. To plant a Cypress, proceed as follows:
- Soak the root ball for a good hour in a large basin of water so that it rehydrates,
- Dig a hole 2 to 2.5 times larger than the root ball,
- Sieve the garden soil extracted and then mixed with peat and some powdered horn because the Cypress needs an organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen and with slow diffusion,
- Place a layer of pebbles at the bottom of the planting hole to create a draining bottom, a precaution all the more important if you install the Cypress in heavy, clayey soil which tends to retain water,
- Cover this drainage layer with about 50 or 60 cm of the stockpiled mixture,
- Install the Cypress foot in the center of the hole,
- Untangle the root bun then spread the roots without damaging them,
- Fill with the rest of the soil/potting soil/crushed horn mixture,
- Tamp down the earth well, holding the tree so that it remains perfectly straight,
- Form a bowl at the foot,
- Water enough.
Thereafter, it is necessary to ensure that the soil retains a certain freshness in order to allow the rooting of the Cypress.
Grow Cypress
Cypress is perfect for a isolated use. But you can also choose to cultivate several Cypresses in order to create a sight and windbreak hedge very effective while bringing an aesthetic touch to the property. In this case, a trench 45 or 50 cm wide and 60 to 70 cm deep should be dug, and the Cypresses planted there, taking care to separate them by about 1.50 m from each other.
Undemanding, the Cypress tolerates all types of soil since he is well drained because its roots should not be immersed in water. He particularly likes to be installed in broad daylight.
Maintain the Cypress
Any gardener, even a beginner, can plant a Cypress because this beautiful tree does not have great demands.
Water
During the three years which follow the plantation of a Cypress, it is necessary to take care of the waterings which must be regular but not excessive. Be careful especially in case of scorching summer. If the young conifer lacks water, it stops growing and you can see the yellowing of its scaly foliagethat is to say in the form of scales.
After three years, except in the event of severe and persistent drought, it will no longer be necessary to water the Cypress because its roots will be able to draw water from deep. Of course, for subjects pot grownit is necessary to water regularly throughout the summer, but again without excess because it is necessary to avoid any risk of stagnant water which is very detrimental to the Cypress.
Fertilisation
During the first years after planting, it is recommended to in May or June supplements of complete fertilizers in order to support the growth of the Cypress. Nettle manure, crushed horn, bone powder are quite suitable.
Cut
A Cypress planted in isolation does not need to be pruned. On the other hand, pruning is necessary for a cypress hedge having reached the desired height, and must be carried out every year in the month of September, these trees showing relatively rapid growth. Be careful, however, not to cut the old wood but only young branches and of course the dead branches.
The pruning of a large Cypress requires precautions in order to guarantee the security, whether you have to climb a stepladder or a ladder. The good idea is to inquire with a landscape professional in order to entrust him with the pruning of the Cypresses.
Pests and diseases
The most common pests found on cypresses are aphidthe cedar buprestothe cochineal and thered spider. We can naturally fight against these undesirables by adopting preventive and/or curative methods such as ladybug larvae and nettle manure spray, a pyrethrum decoction or even a drench of the foliage. Severely infested parts should be removed and then burned.
Excess humidity can be responsible for maladies cryptogamiques. This is also the case if several Cypresses are planted too close to each other because the air circulates poorly between the trees. It is therefore necessary to take precautions to protect them from diseases, such as installing them in well-draining soil, resorting to horsetail sprays on the aerial parts and uprooting diseased trees, absolutely avoiding replanting others in the same place. . Of course, this type of disease is treated with suitable fungicides.
When buying a Cypress (conifer from the family of Cupressaceae), it is advisable to learn about its particularities because there are different species such as the Leyland Cypress (2 to 10 m), the Tuscan Cypress (6 to 8 m) or the Provence Cypress (10 m), the very original Kashmir Cypress with its weeping habit (6 to 18 m ) or even Lambert’s Cypress (up to 25 m) …
And at adult height matters a lot,wingspan of the tree is also decisive. The choice therefore depends on the area of the land but also on the use of these conifers. Those with great development are rather intended for a plantation in isolation, and one opts for those with weak development if one wishes to create a hedge of Cypress.