How to Prune Leyland Cypress Tree Screens

Leyland cypress trees are fast growing, evergreen trees that will grow between 3 and 4 feet every year. They are easy to care for and are drought tolerant plants. Because of their fast growth, the trees are popular choices to create a tree screen. A screen is a row of trees planted very close together to create privacy by blocking out the view. When pruning a tree screen made of Leyland cypress, the main objective is to prevent the side limbs from damaging the other trees.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Hedge trimmers
• Ladder

Instructions

1. Examine one of the Leyland cypress trees and look for discolored or wilted limbs. As limbs die off, they turn yellow or brown. Prune off all of these limbs with pruning shears as close to the tree trunk as possible.

2. Examine the sides of the trees that are located near other cypress trees. Look for limbs that are growing into the other tree, especially if they are rubbing against tree limbs. Prune these limbs off as well, since rubbing tree limbs can injure the tree and encourage disease.

3. Stand back and look at the overall shape of the tree. Trim the tree into an aesthetically pleasing design, such as a square. Leyland cypress trees will grow with a naturally pointed top. Cutting off the uppermost branches with shears, or a hedge trimmer, will create a more box-like shape that resembles a hedge.

4. Repeat the pruning techniques on all remaining trees in the tree screen so that the trees are uniform in appearance.

References

• Fast Growing Trees: Leyland Cypress Trees
• Clemson Extension: Leyland Cypress