How to Preserve Your Magnificent Cypress Tree

Perhaps the beautiful showpiece Cypress tree in your front garden is showing signs of browning in the canopy. You are not alone. In recent years there has been a considerable outbreak of Cypress Canker throughout Australia due to long periods of unusually dry conditions.

Here are some tips to help you learn more about this widespread condition and how you can preserve your magnificent tree.

Symptoms to Look For

Usually the tree begins to suffer dieback, which starts at the top branches and moves downwards throughout the canopy. You may also notice:

  • A branch changing colour within a matter of days.

  • Dark brown or purple, long, thin cankers on the stems and branch axels

  • Resin oozing from the cracked bark in affected areas.

Unfortunately, any affected limbs are very likely to die.

Understand the Causes of the Problem

Fungal spores--which are spread by wind and water--gain entry to trees from many varied means including: pruning cuts, cracks, storm damage and insects. These spores are not usually a major problem in healthy trees.

However, in weakened trees they can have a considerably adverse effect.

After long periods of dry conditions, the root systems become weakened. This places additional stresses on trees and makes them susceptible to fungal attack.

Steps to Take

Pruning is the best solution, and diseased branches should be removed.

  • Cut branches off at about 10 cm below the affected area.

  • Cut off cankers

  • Carefully remove bark and diseased tissue with a scalpel

  • Seal the wound with a resin and apply a fungicide.

  • Dispose of all the affected material with care by burning to avoid spreading to other healthy vegetation.

Ways You Can Protect Your Cypress

In order to prevent the likelihood of fungal infection you can take some precautions.

  • Minimise compaction of soil around the tree

  • Ensure that the tree is never over-watered

  • Avoid wounding your tree. Pruning cuts are the most frequent source of fungal spread.

Of course, you may not have confidence in your ability to tackle the necessary tasks to restore your tree to health. This type of job really falls into the realm of professional tree arborists. They have the skills and experience to identify the correct treatment and procedures and carry them out efficiently.

You can be assured that a quality arborist service will use the most Eco-friendly methods of disease and pest control, as well as implementing the ideal management system for the future health of your trees. Get in touch with a local company, such as Colourful Tree Lopping, for more information. 


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