Growing cypress trees successfully depends on planting the in the right location. Choose a site with full sun or partial shade and rich, acid soil.

Drench the soil around the tree after planting and cover the root zone with 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm.) of organic mulch. Give the tree a good soaking every week for the first few months. Cypress trees need water most in spring when they enter a growth spurt and in fall just before they go dormant. They can withstand occasional drought once established, but it’s best to water them if you haven’t had a drenching rain for more than a month. Wait a year after planting before fertilizing a cypress tree for the first time. Cypress trees growing in a regularly fertilized lawn don’t generally need additional fertilizer once established. Otherwise, fertilize the tree every year or two with a balanced fertilizer or a thin layer of compost in fall. Spread a pound (454 g.) of balanced fertilizer for each inch (3 cm.) of trunk diameter over an area approximately equal to the spread of the canopy.