Seiridium cypresses removed; optimism for replacements

For a while the scourge of Seiridium cupressi has been affecting cypresses at Iford for some time.  We are by no means unusual, sadly.  All over the world cypress, thuja and similar 'soft' conifers are suffering.  It is a really depressing disease because this canker causes such rapid destruction (taking two years to all but kill some trees); and from the gardener's point of view, it is an ugly and very public demise too - sad for all concerned.


On the terraces at the back of the house four hearty cypress trees had stood for some fifteen years since they were put in as adolescents.  By now at well over twenty-five feet tall, the effect was one of drawing up the eye to the heavens, a reminder of Tuscany on a gloomy Tuesday which would raise a smile on even the grumpiest of visitor!


But after one had to be taken down last year, this winter a further two had to go, leaving just this remaining stalwart, toughing it out in the face of his limbs browning off and dying back.  He will, I fear, have short time also.

We have known this would probably be coming down the track, and for this reason have been trialling a number of different cypress forms to see which might be most resilient.  Over the past ten years that they have been being brought on, some have already perished in the cold, but this hardy specimen, and his friend across the path, have now replaced their unfortunate cousins.  


So the perpendicular optimism of the Italianate has its renaissance on the Iford terraces.  Let's hope both that an antidote will be found against Seiridium, and also that these two fine replacements will reach their full, towering maturity.