Italian Cypress

Description

Get the Mediterranean Vibe Anywhere

The Italian Cypress is an evergreen conifer tree that’s been a staple of classical Italian gardens since the Renaissance period. With a dense columnar crown and symmetrical shape, these trees make a perfect addition to any garden or driveway.

Its origins lie in Persia, but it can also be found in the eastern Mediterranean region in countries like Turkey, Israel, and Greece. These regions experience dry and hot summers with wet winters and a semi-arid climate in the more eastern parts of its range. For this reason, it is also called Mediterranean Cypress.

With an average height and width of 50 and 3 feet, respectively, the Italian Cypress is known for its essential oils that have air-refreshing qualities that are generally used as perfumes. The leaves of the plant are also found in various shampoos and soaps with anti-dandruff and anti-seborrheic properties. The species also produce numerous secondary metabolites, which make for an important source of many pharmaceutical drugs.

Caring for your Italian Cypress

Italian Cypresses thrive well in hot and dry climates and can handle some drought when fully matured. Due to their shape, these trees require little pruning and are overall very low-maintenance. An Italian Cypress is all you need if you live in a hot climate and have a tight schedule.

Light

Cupressus sempervirens loves full sun, meaning six or more hours of sunlight per day. The seeds germinate under bright indirect sunlight between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended that you plant your Italian Cypress tree outdoors so it can receive direct sunlight every day. However, make sure there is protection from cold, dry winds to prevent discoloration.

Soil

Fortunately, the Italian Cypress can grow in a range of soils, including sand, chalk, loam, clay, and acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils. The tree can experience root rot if the soil is poorly drained, so ensure that the soil is always moist. Keeping your soil moist is important to prevent the roots from getting spoilt.

Water

Even though the Mediterranean Cypress grows in dry conditions, it is crucial to water it regularly in its first growing season to ensure a robust and healthy root system.

To water the tree correctly, deep soak the area surrounding the root ball. If you use a hose, set it on a slow trickle so the water can properly saturate the root ball. To maintain the moisture, add a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch and keep it at least 2 inches away from the trunk.

Fertilizer

The best fertilizer for Italian Cypress is 10-10-10. Additionally, you should apply general-purpose fertilizer before planting new growth. Do not go overboard with the fertilizer since this specie of tree doesn’t require much.

Common Issues

While the Italian Cypress isn’t prone to many disease-related issues, there are a few pests and problems to look out for.

Pests

The Italian Cypress may become susceptible to spider mites and bagworms, which can cause symptoms like discolored bark and oozing sap. A small number of mites usually isn’t a reason to freak out, but high populations can wreak havoc on the trees and should be taken care of without delay.

Disease

In some locations, Italian Cypress trees can become vulnerable to deadly cankers caused by a fungus, such as botryosphaeria canker and seiridium canker. These pathogens enter the trees through wounds in the bark caused by mower cuts, pruning, or wind damage. If you notice dead branches, take prompt steps towards removing them so the disease cannot spread further.

Pruning

Clip the top part of your Italian Cypress tree with a pair of hedge clippers, then check each spring for any loose limbs. Prune these loose limbs by cutting the joint where the limb connects with the branch. Address the cause of loose limbs, which could be due to insufficient sunlight or water damage, to prevent the problem from progressing.

Check for any diseased limbs and prune them away. Failure to remove any affected limbs will spread the pathogens to the rest of the healthy tree.

Propagation

The right method of propagation for the Italian Cypress is by cuttings or seeds. Tissue culture and grafting are not generally used since they are more time-consuming, more costly, and have a lower success rate than the other two methods.

To root the cuttings of the tree, ensure the cuttings are approximately 6 inches long and on the lower parts of the branches, nearest the roots, at a 45-degree angle. On the other hand, make cuts straight across the upper parts of the branch, which lie furthest away from the tree.

Potting/Repotting

If you wish to grow the Italian Cypress in a pot, choose a container several inches bigger than the pot the young tree came in. You will need to keep increasing the pot size as the tree grows and reaches its mature height. After that, prune the root every couple of years to maintain the size. Use high-quality moisture-retaining soil and a good drainage system, and check the drain holes on the container before repotting.