I planted a couple of cypresses (Cypressus sempervirens pyramidalis). They grow well, but they are rather "slim" (narrow). I intend to plant a few more (1,5 metre high); I was told that if I cut the top of the plant, it will produce stronger branches (and become wider); it will also produce a new top. Is this correct?
I thought the point (no pun intended) was to allow these cypresses to grow tall and thin, like a pencil. My impression is that these are not really meant to be trimmed or sculpted. If you are interested in wider cypresses or a cypress that's more adaptable while sculpting, maybe you could consider getting another variety.
"Another variety" ... I was told that there are some 24 kinds of cypresses, and that the one I mentioned is the Mediterranean, which I want to have.
I do not "sculpture" trees; I live mostly in forest and I love trees such as they are. There is a lot of large (grown) cypresses around the nursery where I buy plants, and those cypresses are not too "thin, like a pencil". I said to the lady, that I want my cypresses to be like those near the nursery; she said they would be like that, but those I planted eight years ago are not. They are 6-7 metres high and very thin. So, I want them to get wider; maybe they will become wider when they cease to grow in height.
It will not produce a new top, rather multiple new tops but it will stop the tree from gaining more height. It will get wider.
I have 15 Cupressus sempervirens in my garden one with the top removed. I don't think the variety (horizontalis or pyramidalis) affects the top. This is a typical feature of the Pinales order.
Also remember that when you cut a tree you leave it open to fungal infections, so you should deal with that.
"It will not produce a new top, rather multiple new tops ..."
This is what I expected, and why I did not want to cut the top; I do not like cypresses with "multiple tops".
"... when you cut a tree you leave it open to fungal infections, so you should deal with that."
One of my (nearly thirty) cypresses suddenly died this spring. It was some 8 years old and 6 meters high. I know no experts for cypresses, but I was told by a biologist that this was probably caused by a fungal infection. Is there some way to protect (in advance) cypresses from such infection?
If you want a certain height, pruning is tolerated well by this evergreen tree. Pruning the top of your cypress to maintain a certain height will slow upward growth and often increases outward growth.
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