Cupressus

The genus Cypress (Cupressus) includes 20 species of coniferous plants-trees or shrubs with a pyramidal or spreading crown. The trunk branches from the base and is covered with thick furrowed or thin gray-brown bark. Superimposed on each other (like tiles on a roof), the needles are scaly, bluish-green or bluish, located on twigs in pairs, completely covering them. The flowers that bloom from March to May are inconspicuous. Cones ripen in the 2nd year; seeds are numerous, flat, winged. The most famous species is the evergreen cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). Young plants are characterized by a pointed crown, and adult specimens are columnar with a rounded tip. Most often, a cultivated pyramidal form of evergreen cypress, otherwise called pyramidal cypress, is bred. Also widely known is the Arizona cypress (C. arizonica), which is smaller in size and much more resistant to frost than the evergreen cypress; it grows well even in dry, alkaline soil. It has a characteristic light green crown. It is ideal for hedges and fences and is mainly used as an ornamental plant. Large-fruited cypress (C. macrocarpa) is smaller in size than evergreen cypress, characterized by very rapid growth, resistance to brackish-bitter wind, so it is used in forest protection strips of coastal areas. It requires soils with a deep fertile horizon, because the plant has a highly developed root system. Lusitanian cypress (C. lusitanica) is also used in forest protection strips.

The genus Cypress (Cupressus) includes 20 species of coniferous plants-trees or shrubs with a pyramidal or spreading crown. The trunk branches from the base and is covered with thick furrowed or thin gray-brown bark. Superimposed on each other (like tiles on a roof), the needles are scaly, bluish-green or bluish, located on twigs in pairs, completely covering them. The flowers that bloom from March to May are inconspicuous. Cones ripen in the 2nd year; seeds are numerous, flat, winged.

The most famous species is the evergreen cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). Young plants are characterized by a pointed crown, and adult specimens are columnar with a rounded tip. Most often, a cultivated pyramidal form of evergreen cypress, otherwise called pyramidal cypress, is bred.

Also widely known is the Arizona cypress (C. arizonica), which is smaller in size and much more resistant to frost than the evergreen cypress; it grows well even in dry, alkaline soil. It has a characteristic light green crown. It is ideal for hedges and fences and is mainly used as an ornamental plant.

Large-fruited cypress (C. macrocarpa) is smaller in size than evergreen cypress, characterized by very rapid growth, resistance to brackish-bitter wind, so it is used in forest protection strips of coastal areas. It requires soils with a deep fertile horizon, because the plant has a highly developed root system.

Lusitanian cypress (C. lusitanica) is also used in forest protection strips.

Cultivation

Cypress trees are widely used for alleys, parks, gardens, and street gardening. They are planted permanently in October-November in cold and temperate regions and in March-April-in areas with a mild climate. Thanks to the root system, which is most often located almost on the surface, they are suitable for "shallow" (in some cases, stony) soils, as long as they are well drained.

Location

Cypresses prefer open sun, and, as a rule, new plantings need to be protected from the wind.

Temperature

Cypresses are mostly resistant to short-term temperature drops, but they are afraid of prolonged frosts.

Watering

It is enough to water young plants immediately after planting in a permanent place and during a prolonged drought. Adult plants are extremely resistant to drought.

Reproduction

Seeds are placed in March in a universal seed soil and kept in a cool place. Slightly grown seedlings are distributed one at a time in pots, then before planting in a permanent place on the site (the next year after sowing) they are transplanted into containers each time larger than the previous one. But decorative forms are propagated by semi-lignified cuttings (young shoots with a "heel") approximately 10 cm long, placed for rooting in a mixture of peat and sand. Then the seedlings are placed one at a time in pots. Decorative forms are also propagated by grafting.

Seeds are placed in March in a universal seed soil and kept in a cool place. Slightly grown seedlings are distributed one at a time in pots, then before planting in a permanent place on the site (the next year after sowing) they are transplanted into containers each time larger than the previous one.

But decorative forms are propagated by semi-lignified cuttings (young shoots with a "heel") approximately 10 cm long, placed for rooting in a mixture of peat and sand. Then the seedlings are placed one at a time in pots. Decorative forms are also propagated by grafting.

Diseases

In recent years, the evergreen cypress tree has been affected by a disease caused by the fungus Coryneum cardinale, or Seiridium cardinale, the so-called cypress cancer. The first symptoms of this lesion are reddish-brown wounds (cracks) on the trunk and branches, from which resin oozes; the wounds then merge into cracks of increasing size. In this case, the affected parts are removed, and the wounds after pruning are disinfected with wound-healing mastic. Preventive treatment with copper-based fungicides and benzimidazole can also be carried out in spring and autumn. Aphids infect Arizona cypress hedges, resulting in reddening of the inner part of the crown. Worms provoke yellowing and drying out plants, treatment with special preparations is recommended.

Acquisition

Buy cypress cancer-resistant varieties of evergreen cypress, such as Agrimede No. 3 and Bolgheri. Choose very young plants that are easier to handle when transplanting. The best time to buy them is fall or spring, depending on when you plan to plant them outdoors.