How to Prune a Leyland Cyprus

The Leyland Cyprus is a fast growing evergreen tree that naturally grows into the classic “Christmas tree” shape. These trees rarely need pruning except to remove dead branches and multiple leaders. Learning the correct way to prune a Cyprus is a long-term investment in the beauty of your landscape.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hand pruning shears for three-quarter inch stems
• Loping shears
• Rubbing alcohol
• Long wooden stick (optional)
• String

1. Inspect your tree. Look for problems like cankers and dead or broken branches. You should also look for multiple leaders (large vertical stems that compete with the main stem).

2. Cut dead branches back until you reach healthy branches.

3. Make cuts outside the branch collar. The branch collar is that bulging part of the branch between the branch and the trunk of the tree.

4. Angle your cuts from 45 to 60 degrees. Cut branches that are greater than one inch in diameter using the following 3-step process.

5. Starting from the underside of the branch, measure 12 inches from the main trunk and make the initial cut about halfway through the limb.

6. Make the next cut about one inch past the first cut and cut all the way through the limb, working from the top down. The weight of the limb should cause it to break between the two cuts.

7. Make your final cut just outside the branch collar. There is no need to apply a wound dressing to the cut unless you’re controlling for insect diseases.

8. Replace a damaged leader by training the uppermost lateral branch to grow vertically.

9. Attach a long stick to the damaged leader with string. Bend the uppermost branch and tie it loosely to this stick.

10. Prune any lateral branches beneath the new leader.
    
    Maintaining a Leyland Cyprus is easy once you know the right way to prune.

Tips & Warnings

• The best time to prune a Leyland Cyprus is from November through February.
• When pruning diseased wood, disinfect your tools between each cut by wiping down the blades with rubbing alcohol.
• A correctly trimmed tree adds to the real estate value of your property.
• Avoid “topping” or drastically cutting off the top of a tree. Doing so decreases the tree’s ability to make food for itself.
• Dull tool blades will crush, rather than cut tree stems.
• Do not prune branches flush with the trunk.
• Use a ladder and ask for help, when pruning larger trees.

[jgoodgion]

on 4/8/2009 I topped my 1 year old leylands (about 4" or so). I was advised that this would make them bushier. I realize now that I should have waited to do this. Some of them have put on new shoots, others haven't. Will they recover to make new growth? I want them to grow much taller.

[blonde]

on 8/17/2008 When our arborvites became infected with spider mite, we used a sprayer product from the nursery, called 'insecticide' for plants and shrubs and the 10 arborvites survived, the eggs from the mite died.