Things You'll Need
Loppers or shears
Hand saw
Stepladder
Gloves
The Alaskan weeping cedar is a distinct variety of the Alaskan cedar family of trees. It has a unique limb structure that points downward, thus giving the needles a wilted appearance. The Alaskan weeping cedar can grow up to 1 1/2 feet per year and will reach heights of 80 to 100 feet tall in the wild. The weeping cedar prefers bright sunlight and well-drained soil. Pruning Alaskan weeping cedars is only required when limbs are damaged, or to contain tree growth.
Step 1
Examine the tree for any broken limbs and remove them. Cut smaller branches with pruning shears or loppers and cut larger branches with a hand saw. Broken limbs leave the Alaskan cedar susceptible to disease.
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Step 2
Prune off any branches containing yellow or brown needles. These branches are dead or dying and pruning them redirects the plant's nutrients to other areas of the tree.
Step 3
Look at the sides of the tree and prune off any branches that are touching other trees or plants.
Step 4
Remove any lower-hanging limbs that are touching the ground. Limbs that touch the ground are more likely to rot, or grow mold or mildew, which will spread to other parts of the tree.
Step 5
Cut limbs back by 1/2 in the spring to encourage the tree to grow outward in a bushy fashion rather than straight up.
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