Hi,
Have 3 gold mop cypress. They have truly outgrown the space they are in and are encroaching on each other .. Can they be pruned or should they be moved to a larger space. They are 8 yo.
Thanks so much for your help.
Sincerely,
Diane
Pruning Or Relocating A Gold Mop Cypress
Filed Under: Shrubs, Pruning, Techniques & Methods · Keywords: How To, Prune, Relocate, Gold Mop Cypress, Pruning · 132 Views
2 Answers
Answer #2 · Brent Wilson's Answer · Hi Diane,
This is a good question. When planted in groups or nearby other types of plants, the Gold Mop Cypress is often planted too closely to other plants. Most likely, this is because it's a slow grower that looks small even when purchased in larger size containers, compelling folks to plant them too close together to get that "instant gratification." Most aren't aware that this plant can grow 8'+ in height with an almost equal spread over time. So, when they are planted too closely together overcrowding occurs and one ends up having to make the decision to relocate or to prune.
If your Gold Mop Cypress are nearing their mature size and growth rate has slowed considerably you could leave them where they are. To prevent Chamaecyparis and other Cypress Family conifers (including some others with fan-like needles, like Arborvitae and juniper), from getting too big and bulky, you can gently head the branches back occasionally. This means snipping off just some of the ambitious tips where the spray-like flattened needles fork, telling the plant gently to redirect its growth into fullness rather than elongation. NOTE: Never cut back into old wood on a Chamaecyparis or the others mentioned here.
But, from what you're describing, it sounds like your plants have become seriously overcrowded and are no longer attractive. If so, pruning isn't going to be the option as these conifers don't respond well to heavy pruning (removal of more than four to six inches foliage.) As mentioned previously, never cut back into old wood on Gold Mop Cypress or any other Chamaecyparis and other Cypress Family conifers.
Well-established, mature size Chamaecyparis don't respond well to relocation either. If you want to attempt to move yours, do so in late winter or very early spring, before new growth starts to emerge.
Here's a link to an article that provides detailed instructions for relocating and transplanting a plant:
www.gardenality.com/Articles/327/How-To-Info/Planting/How-to-Relocate-And-Transplant-A-Shrub-or-Tree/default.html)
This is a good question. When planted in groups or nearby other types of plants, the Gold Mop Cypress is often planted too closely to other plants. Most likely, this is because it's a slow grower that looks small even when purchased in larger size containers, compelling folks to plant them too close together to get that "instant gratification." Most aren't aware that this plant can grow 8'+ in height with an almost equal spread over time. So, when they are planted too closely together overcrowding occurs and one ends up having to make the decision to relocate or to prune.
If your Gold Mop Cypress are nearing their mature size and growth rate has slowed considerably you could leave them where they are. To prevent Chamaecyparis and other Cypress Family conifers (including some others with fan-like needles, like Arborvitae and juniper), from getting too big and bulky, you can gently head the branches back occasionally. This means snipping off just some of the ambitious tips where the spray-like flattened needles fork, telling the plant gently to redirect its growth into fullness rather than elongation. NOTE: Never cut back into old wood on a Chamaecyparis or the others mentioned here.
But, from what you're describing, it sounds like your plants have become seriously overcrowded and are no longer attractive. If so, pruning isn't going to be the option as these conifers don't respond well to heavy pruning (removal of more than four to six inches foliage.) As mentioned previously, never cut back into old wood on Gold Mop Cypress or any other Chamaecyparis and other Cypress Family conifers.
Well-established, mature size Chamaecyparis don't respond well to relocation either. If you want to attempt to move yours, do so in late winter or very early spring, before new growth starts to emerge.
Here's a link to an article that provides detailed instructions for relocating and transplanting a plant:
www.gardenality.com/Articles/327/How-To-Info/Planting/How-to-Relocate-And-Transplant-A-Shrub-or-Tree/default.html)
Additional comments about this answer:
Diane Edwards · Gardenality Seed · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
Hi Brent, Your answer has answered all my questions. I design outdoor garden rooms along with interior remodeling. Just now getting more involved with conifers and don't want to jump in and kill any of them. If you'd are to take a look at my website www.oldworlddesignatlanta.com.
I love this site. Thanks again and have a great day.
Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
Diane - I visited your website and was very impressed. You do very good work both on interiors and exteriors. I saw your "Garden Gallery" and some other exterior hardscape projects you've done. Not sure if you were aware of it, but this qualifies your company to have a Business Profile here in Gardenality. You can use your business profile to introduce your company and the services it provides to other Gardenality members and the many visitors to the site. You can also link from your profile to your company website. Having a business profile in Gardenality will definitely improve your search engine rankings and should increase traffic to both your profile in Gardenality and your website. Rather than go into more details here, if you're interested, check out this page for more information on getting started:
www.gardenality.com/Articles/544/Gardenality/Gardenality-Business-Profiles/How-To-Build-A-Business-Profile-In-Gardenality/default.html
Comment about this answer »
Answer #1 · John Heider's Answer · Hi Diane-It would be wise to try and prune your plants first before deciding to transplant them. The Gold Mop is a member of the Cupressaciae family that does not take well to transplanting. They can have a really long taproot which is difficult to remove entirely. If this taproot is damage it can weaken or kill the plant.
You can prune this plant by removing limbs that are outgrowing your dimensions. Do not sheer the foliage to reduce its size as done with many other plants. By doing this you will distroy its natural wispy look. It is best to prune this plant as you would a coniferous evergreen. You can click on the ARTCLES TAB above and type PRUNE in the search box. There you will find "HOW TO PRUNE CONIFEROUS EVERGREENS". You can also click on the link below that will take you directly to this article.
www.gardenality.com/Articles/447/How-To-Info/Pruning/How-To-Prune-Coniferous-Evergreens/default.html)
You can prune this plant by removing limbs that are outgrowing your dimensions. Do not sheer the foliage to reduce its size as done with many other plants. By doing this you will distroy its natural wispy look. It is best to prune this plant as you would a coniferous evergreen. You can click on the ARTCLES TAB above and type PRUNE in the search box. There you will find "HOW TO PRUNE CONIFEROUS EVERGREENS". You can also click on the link below that will take you directly to this article.
www.gardenality.com/Articles/447/How-To-Info/Pruning/How-To-Prune-Coniferous-Evergreens/default.html)
Additional comments about this answer:
Diane Edwards · Gardenality Seed · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
Thanks John. I felt your answer is the way it should be done. A lot like pruning a Lace-leaf Japanese Maple. So glad to find out about the transplanting. I know i'll be returning for more help. Diane
John Heider · Gardenality Genius · Zone 9B · 25° to 30° F
Diane-Glade we could help. Very nice Web site. Hopefully Gardenality will be of great help to you in your work. It would be nice if you could upload some pictures at times of plant life you have used in your designs. You could develop a file in "MY GARDENS" for all to see. Thats what Gardenality and your website is all about. Helping others with new ideas. Take care-John
Diane Edwards · Gardenality Seed · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
That's a great idea. I'll do it.
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Copyright © 2008-2012 WYW Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Gardenality does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information entered by Gardenality members is not endorsed by Gardenality.com or WYW Group LLC.
Never use any information from Gardenality to diagnose or treat any medical problem.
All information is provided by members and has not been validated or approved for use anywhere.
No text or images on this web site may be used without direct written permission from WYW Group, LLC. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Code of Conduct | Credits
Gardenality.com was designed and developed by web development firm, Dot Designers.
Gardenality's founders are proud servants of Jesus and our heart's greatest desire is to live for His everlasting renown.