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Problems with cypress hedge

kawechelkawechel Posts: 5
in Problem solving

Hello,

we have a large Cypress hedge that runs alongside our house and forms the border with our neighbours. While I'm not a fan of these hedges, it actually servers a good purpose by giving us and our neighbours privacy.

Unfortunately in the last year the hedge has started to look increasingly unwell (see photo below). We thought this could be cause by aphids and sprayed the hedge a couple of times last summer, but there's no visible improvement.

Is there hope for our hedge or is it beyond help? If we can save it in any way, I'd prefer giving that a go rather than replacing it and having to wait several years for a new hedge to grow big enough to fully replace this.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

thanks,

kawechel


image

 

Posts

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Is there a dog lifting its leg in the area?
  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    Welshonion it'd have to be a very tall dog to do that. The reason for the dieback is it hasn't been cut properly. Conifer hedges need an angled cut, wider at the base narrower at the top. You won't cure dieback just manage it or replace it. 

  • kawechelkawechel Posts: 5

    Err, no - I doubt it. We're one of only 3 houses in the middle of the countryside - while one of neighbours do indeed have a dog, I have never seen it near our house.

    thanks,

    kawchel

  • kawechelkawechel Posts: 5

    Thanks Dave. 

    Is there anything we can do to manage this? We only moved in 18 months ago, and the damage was already done... I want to avoid replacing the hedge. image

    kawechel

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    I'd let it grow out a good foot before doing any cutting.  If you get some longer branches you can try pulling them downward to try to cover it. That's about all you can do.

  • kawechelkawechel Posts: 5

    Thanks Dave, will have a go.

    If you don't mind, can you please briefly explain why cutting the hedge wrongly can cause the dieback?

    kawechel

  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    It's all about light kawechel. Cut the way it's been cut light doesn't get to the lowest part of the hedge. An angled cut let's light get down to the lower branches. Mind you conifers do suffer die back for a variety of reasons but yours is more than likely down to bad light. 

  • kawechelkawechel Posts: 5

    Makes sense, especially because the hedge is also planted in a shady area - thanks for the explanation!

    kawechel

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