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Cypress pyramidal is an evergreen, tall coniferous tree, common on the Crimean coast. Belongs to the cypress family. The arrow-like crown inherent in the pyramidal evergreen cypress was developed by the Greeks of Ancient Hellas. It is not found in the wild; pyramidal cypress was bred by breeders of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. The parent tree is evergreen cypress, which differs from the pyramidal arrangement of branches, found in Northern Iran, Asia on the Mediterranean coast.
Description of pyramidal cypress
Evergreen cypress is sometimes called Italian, because it is believed that it first appeared in the eastern Mediterranean, and from there it migrated to European regions.
The evergreen pyramidal cypress is a long-livers, its lifespan is calculated not in decades, but in several centuries. This coniferous tree grows very slowly, reaching a height of 20 to 40 m by the century of its existence. The greatest increase is observed at the beginning of the tree's life. In the first three years, the cypress grows to 1-2 m in height.By the age of fifty, growth decreases, and the evergreen pyramidal cypress reaches its maximum growth point by 100 years.
The trunk of the evergreen pyramidal cypress grows upright, covered with dark gray or brown bark. Young trees have light brown bark, which darkens and turns brown with age.
The narrow pyramidal crown is formed by branches that fit tightly to the trunk and are directed vertically. The leaves of evergreen cypress are scale-like and small. The needles are elongated-rhombic in shape. The needles are attached crosswise.
Evergreen pyramidal cypress produces round cones that are gray-brown in color. The cones resemble a ball in appearance. The scales covering the cone are equipped with spines. Seeds are formed inside the cones, the number of which varies from 20 to 30 pieces each.
The ripening of cones occurs in the second year after appearance. The seeds are small, equipped with wings for better distribution throughout the territory. Seeds remain viable for 5-6 years.
Evergreen pyramidal cypress is a shade-tolerant and drought-resistant coniferous species. Prefers a mild, warm climate, but can survive temperatures as low as -20°C.
Evergreen pyramidal cypress tolerates shaping pruning well, so it is often used by landscape designers. Wood tolerates atmospheric pollution and cleans the air well from exhaust gases and dust.
Flowering begins at the end of March and continues until May. On the side branches you can see bright yellow spikelets. Pollen falling on the needles changes its shade to a dirty greenish color.
The cypress aroma is not tolerated by moths and wood-boring beetles, but the smell is considered healing for humans. People suffering from lung pathologies experience improvement in their condition when inhaling the scent of cypress needles.
Evergreen cypress essential oil has bactericidal properties that can suppress the development of staphylococcus, tuberculosis and other pathogens.
The cones have astringent properties, so decoctions of them are prescribed for bleeding. And baths with a decoction are used for joint problems.
Cypress pyramidal in landscape design
Pyramidal cypress (pictured) has a beautiful crown shape, tolerates pruning well, and is therefore used for landscaping local areas, parks, squares, alleys and even highways. Air pollution does not harm the evergreen conifer.
Pyramid cypress is often used in group plantings, favorably shading other coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.
When planted tightly, pyramidal cypress closes into a hedge. Group plantings are used to decorate the walls of buildings or fences.
Planting and caring for pyramidal cypress
Evergreen cypress is a light-loving plant, but for planting it is better to choose a place with periodic shading, otherwise the color of the needles may change and the plant will lose its decorative effect. Proper selection of the site and its preparation will help the tree acclimatize.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
The soil for planting cypress trees should be light, sandy or sandy loam.Clay soil can lead to water stagnation and root rot. It is advisable to dig up the area before planting. This will help get rid of weed and saturate the soil with oxygen. During the digging process, you can add humus.
It is better to purchase a seedling with a closed root system. Pyramidal cypress does not react well to damage to the root system, so when replanting you should act carefully so as not to harm the seedling.
If the tree is purchased with bare roots, it is immersed in warm water or a solution that improves root growth for several hours.
Landing rules
It is necessary to take into account that the evergreen pyramidal cypress is a drought-resistant tree, so it is important for it to have drainage in the hole. Expanded clay or gravel is poured into the bottom of the dug planting hole; you can use broken bricks and a layer of sand.
The distance between adjacent trees depends on the required planting density. For large trees, it is advisable to leave at least 2-2.5 m between seedlings so that as they age they do not shade each other and do not interfere with air circulation around the crown.
The size of the planting hole depends on the earthen ball on the roots. Approximate dimensions of the pit: diameter – 80-90 cm, depth – 60-70 cm.
A nutrient soil mixture consisting of topsoil and coniferous soil is poured on top of the drainage layer. You can use a different composition:
- peat – 1 part;
- turf soil - 1 part;
- leaf soil - 2 parts;
- river sand – 1 part.
The components are mixed and poured into the well. A support peg is driven in, then the seedling is placed vertically and covered with the remaining soil mixture, thoroughly compacting each layer and watering it with warm water.
After planting, the tree is tied with soft ropes to the support post. This will protect the barrel from damage during windy weather.
Watering and fertilizing
Seedlings need regular soil moisture, but excessive watering is unacceptable. Mature trees do not need to be watered; seasonal rainfall is enough for them. During the dry period, 2-3 waterings per season are allowed.
Water the seedlings with warm water, preferably in the evening after sunset or early in the morning. It is not recommended to water the seedlings during the daytime, as this leads to rapid evaporation of moisture.
To avoid yellowing of the needles, you can periodically spray the crown of young seedlings. Once every 14 days, you can add epin to the water for spraying. For 10 liters of water you will need 0.5 mg of the drug.
Cypress does not need feeding, but if the seedling is sick, you can try feeding it with special compounds containing magnesium. Organic feeding of cypress can be harmful, so it is better to avoid using mullein (manure).
Trimming
Formative pruning is best done in early spring, so the plants will better tolerate the intervention. Shoots are cut back by no more than 1/3.
Broken branches can be pruned in autumn or spring. Sanitary pruning involves cutting off damaged, frozen and diseased branches.
Preparing for winter
Preparatory activities consist of mulching the tree trunk circle. Peat, sawdust, foliage or chopped pine needles are used as mulch.
Young trees need reliable crown cover. They are covered with burlap or agrofibre and rewound with soft twine to avoid breaking the branches from the snow.
Reproduction
Evergreen pyramidal cypress can be propagated in several ways: using seeds or cuttings.
Propagation by seeds takes a long time, so cuttings are often used. It is advisable to use several cuttings at once for rooting, since the likelihood of rooting one cutting is low. For the rapid appearance of roots, it is recommended to use special compounds - growth accelerators.
Diseases and pests
Evergreen pyramidal cypress is characterized by increased resistance to diseases and pests. Its wood contains a lot of fungicides that prevent the development of spores and fungi; the aroma of pine needles repels most insects.
Yellowing foliage most often indicates improper care. When the air is very dry, the crown begins to turn yellow and spraying is required. Yellowing may be due to increased calcium content in the soil.
If the needles dry out and fall off, it means that the wrong area for planting has been chosen. Excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation can cause needles to dry out. It is advisable to transplant the tree into partial shade.
Among insect pests, scale insects and spider mites can be found on cypress. To combat them, use Actellik, Aktara, Karbofos.
Conclusion
Pyramidal cypress is a tall tree used for landscaping local areas, parks, squares, and playgrounds. The seedling can be grown at home or purchased from a nursery.
