I done F-ed up. Help please?

by Ilona
(Tampa, Fl)

Hello

I think I made a huge mistake and I’d like help please. I planted three cypress trees about a foot apart, because they’re gorgeous and fill the space perfectly. Then I looked up this type of cypress and found they grow to be very large. What should I do? Is there a way I can keep them smaller and healthy? Is being too close detrimental to their health? Will they survive? Please advise, thank you!

Some other info,
I live in central Fl about an hour outside of Tampa. I have clayish colored soil about 5 inches down. I watered the plants vigorously the day after I planted them. I didn’t put gravel or anything under them, just planted them straight into the ground. I don’t have mulch yet but I’m planning on cypress or cedar mulch, or maybe gravel.

Comments for I done F-ed up. Help please?

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Jun 09, 2019

You can't fight genetics
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

In these conditions, you may enjoy these trees for a few years, but yes, eventually they may get way too big. What happens is that they will die on the sides (and the back) due to light competition.

Think of them as a temporary feature, or move them now before they grow too much.

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