Best time to plant cypress trees

Cypress is an evergreen tree of the genus Platycladus in the Cupressaceae family. It is widely distributed in China and is an excellent landscaping tree species with broad planting prospects. So when is the best time to plant cypress trees? Let’s learn more about it below.

Best time to plant cypress trees

The best time to plant cypress trees is usually spring and fall. Specifically, spring planting of cypress trees is generally chosen from March to May, while autumn planting is carried out from September to November.

How to plant cypress trees?

1. Soil selection

Cypress likes to grow in well-drained soil, and you can choose loose, fertile soil for planting.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

After selecting a planting site, deep plow the soil, add about 2,500 to 5,000 kilograms of manure per acre, mix the soil and turn it deep into the soil layer, and level the ground.

3. Seed collection

Select ripe cypress fruits for seed collection, usually in autumn. There are many empty seeds in cypress seeds, so you need to be careful to remove the empty seeds after harvesting.

4. Seed treatment

Before sowing the seeds, soak them in 0.3% to 0.5% copper sulfate solution for 1 to 2 hours for disinfection. Soak the sterilized seeds in 45℃ warm water for 24 hours, then take them out and place them in a sunny place sheltered from the wind to dry. Wash with warm water 1 to 2 times a day. After about 5 to 6 days, when one-third of the seeds crack, they can be sown.

5. Planting method

Spot sowing can be done when the surface soil is slightly dry, or after watering, sow the seeds and then cover with soil. The initial planting density is 5,000 to 6,000 plants per hectare, and thinning is carried out later according to the canopy density.

6. Post-sowing management

After sowing, keep the soil moist to promote seed germination. During the seedling stage, attention should be paid to thinning, weeding and timely fertilization to promote the healthy growth of seedlings.

7. Afforestation and transplantation

Neutral or slightly alkaline soil should be selected when afforestation, and the size of the planting hole should be determined according to the root system of the seedlings. Afforestation should be carried out in early spring before the sap flows to increase the survival rate.

In general, cypress is an excellent greening tree species. It has strong adaptability, is not picky about soil, and is relatively easy to plant and manage. But be careful to control the planting time and method so that you can effectively plant cypress trees and promote their healthy growth.