Pruning the Bald Cypress

July 14, 2020

Pruning chores are in full swing at my Bedford, New York farm.

Pruning is about more than just looks; proper pruning improves the health of the plants, prevents disease, and encourages better flowering. There are different pruning strategies for different times of the year, but overall the goals are the same - to control the shape, to keep bushes and trees fresh and open, and to allow for better air circulation through the center of the specimen. This week, my outdoor grounds crew is "limbing up" the bald cypress trees - pruning back the low branches in order to allow enough light to filter down to the plants below.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: Across from my winding pergola is a row of towering bald cypress, Taxodium distichum – a deciduous conifer. Though it’s native to swampy conditions, the bald cypress is also able to withstand dry, sunny weather and is hardy in USDA climate zones 5 through 10. These trees do so well here at the farm, but they were in need of some good pruning.

: The bark of the bald cypress is brown to gray and forms long scaly, fibrous ridges on the trunk. Over time, these ridges tend to peel off the trunk in strips.

: Here, one can see the ribbon-like bark stripping off this bald cypress branch.

: The leaves are compound and feathery, made up of many small leaflets that are thin and lance-shaped. Each leaflet is less than two inches long, alternating along either side of a central stem. They are a medium green now and turn russet brown in fall.

: One of the most interesting characteristics of the bald cypress is its knees. Known by the scientific name pneumatophores, these growths are specialized root structures that grow vertically above the moist soil near the tree. It is believed that these structures aid the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the roots. Looking carefully at the ground near each tree, one can see these unique knees.

: Here is another one.

: Pasang starts by cutting the most obvious low growing branches and checks for dead, broken, and diseased branches that also need to be removed. This can be done at any time of year.

: I instructed Pasang to limb-up the trees and remove any low inner branches that block sunlight or disturb an open and airy appearance.

: He uses a 13-inch hand pruning saw with razor-sharp, impulse hardened teeth.

: It is important to always use sharp tools whenever pruning so that the cuts are clean. Dull tools are difficult to use and could even damage the tree. A straight, clean-cut promotes quick healing of the wound and reduces stress on the specimen.

: He also cut any branches that were growing too close to my Basket House – a small structure where I store my basket collection.

: For smaller branches, Pasang uses his trusted Okastune pruners.

: And for hard to reach branches, he uses a telescoping pole pruner. This tool is great for trimming branches that are at least an inch thick. As I always say – the right tool for the right job!

: As branches are removed, they’re gathered and placed into a tidy pile, so they can be chipped easily.

: Before these trees were limbed up, I could hardly see the garden behind them from the carriage road. Now there is a much clearer view.

: Now, there is more space and no inward branches that can block airflow and sunlight from reaching healthy plants below.

: Every so often, Pasang steps back to assess what branches still need trimming.

: And then it’s back up on the ladder to continue the job.

: Regular and thorough pruning will give the branches more circulation and room to grow.

: At the base of some of the bald cypress are growing clematis plants. Here, they are supported by jute twine. These plants bloomed so beautifully this season.

: At the end of the day, these bald cypress trees look so much better. The bald cypress tree can survive for centuries. Growing slowly, this tree will get taller and taller for roughly 200 years, reaching heights of up to 150 feet.