Content
- 1 What is the difference between cypress and cypress
- 2 Cypress root system
- 3 How fast does cypress grow?
- 4 How does a cypress tree grow?
- 5 How does cypress overwinter?
- 6 How to plant a cypress tree in the country
- 7 Caring for cypress in the garden
- 8 Cypress propagation
- 9 Why does cypress dry out?
- 10 What to do if the cypress tree dries out
- 11 Diseases and pests
- 12 Conclusion
Planting a cypress tree and caring for it in the garden is not particularly difficult. Many landscape designers and simply lovers of ornamental plants use these evergreen trees to decorate gardens, park areas and local areas.
Cypress looks great both in individual and group plantings, and with proper care it can become a real decoration of the garden.
What is the difference between cypress and cypress
Despite the similarity of names, cypress and cypress have certain differences, since they are 2 completely different trees, although they belong to the same family. You can distinguish them from each other by the shape of the branches and cones. Cypress branches are flatter, and the cone contains only 2 seeds covered with scales.Cypress cones are much larger in size, and the number of seeds in them is much higher. Its needles are not flat, like those of cypress, but edged, vaguely reminiscent of a pencil to the touch.
Cypress root system
The root system of the cypress tree is located predominantly horizontally, growing greatly in breadth over time. At a young age, the roots of this tree grow quite actively; over time, this process slows down.
However, this factor must be taken into account when planting, so neighboring seedlings are planted at a distance of at least 1 or even 2 m from each other, so that mature trees do not compete with each other.
How fast does cypress grow?
The growth rate of cypress directly depends on its type, variety, as well as on the quality of care for it. In addition, the growing conditions of the tree, the climatic features of the area, and the nature and composition of the soil are important. Depending on all these values, the annual growth of cypress can range from 20 to 70 cm per year. As a rule, fast-growing varieties of this evergreen coniferous tree have the prefix fastigiata in their name.
How does a cypress tree grow?
In total, 7 species of cypress are described in nature. In addition, there are several hundred varieties bred for decorative purposes. The largest cypress tree on a trunk in the wild can reach a height of 70 m, while dwarf cultivars are often grown as indoor flowers in pots.
The main growth indicators of some types of cypress are shown in the table below:
Type of cypress | Height of a mature tree, m |
Pea-bearing | 30 |
Lawson | 70 |
Blunt | 50 |
Tuevidny | 25 |
Nutkan (Yellow) | 40 |
How does cypress overwinter?
Most varieties of this tree can withstand frosts down to - 20 ° C, and pea fruit - up to - 25 ° C. This makes it possible to grow them in the southern regions of Russia. Young plants are more prone to freezing and can hardly withstand temperatures dropping even to -10 °C, so in the Moscow region and central Russia, wintering cypress trees in open ground is not allowed.
In these regions, they use a different tactic, growing trees as ornamental trees in tubs or flowerpots. In the warm season they are put out in the garden, and for the winter they are put indoors.
How to plant a cypress tree in the country
Cypress trees are often used as landscape design elements in the design of gardens, personal plots, home areas or for decorating summer cottages. They can be planted along alleys and paths; many people use it as separate architectural elements of the garden. Cypress looks great on the site as a background for flowers, for example, when growing rose bushes. Before planting a cypress tree, you need to decide on the choice of the required variety, and also take into account all the nuances associated with the size of the future tree, its growing conditions and the possibilities for caring for it.
Selecting a landing site
Cypress does not like heat and bright sun; the best place for it is partial shade. The only exceptions are those varieties whose needles have a golden hue; such trees prefer open sunny places. You should not plant it in lowlands where cold air accumulates; frosts are harmful to it. Cypress grows well on light sandy, slightly acidic soils with sufficient moisture; calcareous and heavy clay soils are not suitable for this tree.
Soil preparation
Planting holes for cypress should be prepared in advance, in the fall. Usually their depth is 0.7-1 m, diameter - 0.6-0.8 m. A layer of drainage made of broken brick or coarse crushed stone with a layer thickness of 0.2 m must be laid on the bottom.
The free space between the stones can be filled with sand. To fill the cypress roots, a special soil mixture is prepared, consisting of soil, sand, peat and humus, taken in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5: 1.5.
Preparation of planting material
Cypress seedlings are usually purchased from specialized stores or nurseries. In this case, their root system must be closed, that is, the seedling must have a lump of earth on the roots or be sold in a special container. The plant itself should have a healthy appearance, the needles of the tree should be green without brown spots.
Cypress planting rules
Unlike fruit trees, which are planted primarily in the fall, cypress trees are usually planted in April or May, sometimes even in early summer. At this time, the soil warms up sufficiently. Before planting, a peg is driven into the bottom near the center of the hole, which will initially serve as a support for the future tree. The soil in the planting hole, as well as the lump of earth that is located on the roots of the cypress seedling, must be impregnated with Kornevin’s solution (root formation stimulator). After this, the seedling is placed in the planting hole next to the garter peg and covered with nutrient soil, holding it strictly vertically. From time to time, the soil around the tree trunk is slightly compacted to prevent voids from forming. The root collar should be 10-12 cm above ground level.
The planted plant needs to be watered abundantly.After the soil shrinks, it is necessary to add soil so that the root collar of the tree is flush with the ground. The seedling needs to be tied to a stake to protect it from possible damage by the wind. The soil around the tree trunk must be mulched with peat, pine needles or small tree bark; this will significantly reduce moisture loss. Once firmly rooted, the tree can be untied from the support and the peg itself can be pulled out.
Caring for cypress in the garden
In order for the cypress tree to maintain its beautiful appearance, it needs some care. The following activities must be carried out:
- watering;
- feeding;
- loosening the soil;
- mulching the tree trunk circle;
- pruning;
- preventive spraying against pests and diseases.
Watering and fertilizing
Cypress loves moisture, but cannot tolerate too much of it. Mature trees need to be watered at least 1-2 times a week at the rate of 1 bucket of water for each. In dry, hot weather, this figure should be doubled. Cypress responds well to high air humidity, so trees must be sprayed, especially during drought. Young trees are also sprayed with water at this time, since the heat significantly slows down their growth and development. After watering, it is advisable to mulch the soil around the trunk with peat, tree bark or wood chips to reduce moisture evaporation.
To feed cypress trees, complex mineral fertilizers are most often used, applying them in the form of an aqueous solution by the root method into the tree trunk. Typically, fertilizing is done once every 2 weeks from spring to mid-summer. From August, fertilization stops so as not to stimulate the plant to grow in the pre-winter period.
Trimming
Cypress easily tolerates pruning. It is pruned for the first time no earlier than a year after planting or transplanting. In the spring, after removing the winter shelter, sanitary cleaning is carried out, cutting off frozen tips and broken branches. At the same time, formative pruning of the tree is carried out, giving its crown an appropriate pyramidal or conical shape.
In the fall, after the end of the period of active growth, sanitary pruning is carried out again, removing dried or damaged branches. At the same time, the current year’s growth is trimmed by 1/3, while maintaining the selected shape of the tree crown.
Cypress transplant
Due to the extensive system of horizontal roots, replanting cypress trees is associated with certain difficulties. To carry out the procedure painlessly, at least six months before the proposed transplant (or earlier), the tree is dug up onto the bayonet of a shovel, gradually cutting its roots. The procedure itself is carried out in mid-spring. The tree is replanted along with a lump of earth on the roots, and the sequence of actions is similar to planting a seedling. After transplanting the plant, it is necessary to water it abundantly.
Winter shelter for cypress
The root system of the cypress tree is located close to the surface, and in case of severe freezing of the soil it can be damaged. To protect it, the root zone around the tree trunk is covered with a thick layer of mulch made from sawdust, fine tree bark or other porous materials.To cover the above-ground part of the plant when preparing a cypress tree for winter, spruce branches are used or a special shelter is built around the tree. Most often they are a wooden frame covered with non-woven covering material.
Cypress propagation
You can propagate cypress trees yourself. To do this, you can use one of the following methods:
- seed;
- cuttings;
- layering from the mother tree.
It must be remembered that the seed method will retain only the species characteristics of the tree; all varietal components will be lost. To propagate varietal cypress species, vegetative propagation methods, for example, cuttings, should be used.
Cypress propagation by cuttings
To prepare cypress cuttings, use the lateral branches of adult trees, the apical shoots from 5 to 15 cm long are cut from them. The lower part of the cutting is freed from needles, after which it is planted in a container filled with a mixture of perlite and sand (in a ratio of 1:1) with the addition of a small amount of coniferous bark. The nutrient substrate is moistened, then the container is covered on top with plastic film, simulating greenhouse conditions. After about 4-8 weeks, the cuttings will take root if you maintain constant humidity close to 100%.
It is also possible to plant cuttings in open ground. At the same time, they are covered with plastic bottles with the neck cut off. If rooting goes well, the cuttings can be left in open ground for the winter, having previously covered them. If root formation is weak, the plants are taken to a warm room for the winter.
By layering
To obtain layering, you need to carefully bend one of the lower branches of the cypress tree to the ground. At its lowest point, an incision is made, which will later become the center of root formation. To prevent the walls of the cut from closing, a small pebble is placed between them. The shoot is carefully placed in a dug trench, secured with a wire clamp and covered with earth. Along with watering the mother tree, you should also water the site of the future cutting.
By autumn, the cuttings will have formed their own root system, but there is no need to rush, you need to leave it to overwinter along with the mother tree. It will be possible to cut it off from the donor branch next spring, in April, and then transplant it to a permanent place in the usual way.
Seeds
Properly collected and dried cypress seeds remain viable for 15 years. Before planting, they are subjected to stratification. To do this, the seeds are placed in a container with a light soil substrate and buried in the snow. You can also use a regular refrigerator. In spring, the container is opened and placed in a warm place (+ 20-23 ° C), well lit, but without direct sunlight. If everything is done correctly, shoots will appear in a few weeks.
When plantings are dense, seedlings need to be pruned. As soon as the air temperature rises above 0 °C, the container with planting material must be taken outside daily, gradually hardening the plants. After the seedlings have grown stronger, they are planted in open ground, in a slightly shaded place. The first winter the seedlings should overwinter under cover.
Why does cypress dry out?
The main reason for drying out of cypress trees is lack of moisture.Often, a plant's needles evaporate more water than its roots can absorb. Therefore, it is so important to regularly spray the tree crown, especially in hot weather.
If the yellow color that appears on the needles is not related to the peculiarity of the cypress variety, this may indicate a lack of magnesium or excess calcium in the soil. Alkalinization of the soil, which is indicated by an increased calcium content, can be removed by adding high-moor peat to the soil, which gives an acidic reaction. The mineral composition of the soil and acidity level can be accurately determined using chemical analysis.
In addition to insufficient watering and unbalanced nutrition due to poor-quality soil, the cause of yellowing and wilting of cypress trees can be damage by diseases and pests.
What to do if the cypress tree dries out
Since there may be several reasons for the drying out of cypress trees, the method of solving the problem must be chosen taking this into account. First of all, you need to eliminate the most obvious one - lack of moisture. To do this, increase watering and irrigate the tree crown more often. If the wilting process does not stop, you need to check the composition of the soil, as well as the presence of diseases in the plant or the presence of insect pests.
Diseases and pests
Cypress trees get sick relatively infrequently. Among the diseases, the greatest danger is late blight root rot, which appears due to stagnation of water in the roots of the plant. At the same time, no traces of disease are observed on the root collar of the tree. Wilting begins with individual branches, gradually the entire tree turns gray and dies. Root rot can only be combated at an early stage of its appearance.To do this, the cypress tree is dug up, the roots are washed, and the rot is cut off to a healthy root. At a later stage, such a measure will not help; the tree must be destroyed.
Among the pests that most often attack cypress trees, the following insects pose a danger:
- Aphid.
- Spider mite.
- Shield.
- False shield.
- Thuja leaf miner.
To combat these insects, trees are repeatedly sprayed with various preparations: acaricides, insecticides, and complex preparations with a wide spectrum of action. However, it is not always possible to achieve complete destruction of pests. Sometimes a heavily infested plant must be dug up and burned to prevent the insects from spreading to neighboring trees.
Conclusion
Planting a cypress tree and caring for it in the garden is possible not only for experienced gardeners, but also for beginners. This decorative evergreen tree does not require special attention and care, and the agricultural techniques when working with it are the simplest. A positive aspect is the variety of its varieties, because thanks to this you can always choose the plant that is best suited for decorating a garden, park or personal plot.
