How to Trim Leyland Cypress Trees

Leyland cypress make an impressive and fast-growing hedge.

Leyland cypress are evergreen trees with a pyramid shape that have become increasingly popular as hedges and privacy screens. The trees can grow to 70 feet if left unchecked and their rapid growth is another reason for their popularity. The tree does best in sun to part-sun but is very tolerant of poor soils. It will create a quick hedge that often outgrows a gardeners expectations. Careful management when the tree is young can keep the tree from overwhelming the landscape. Pruning can be vigorous and severe but should only be done in a dry season to prevent disease.

Things You'll Need

• Hand pruners
• Saw
• Pole pruners
• Ladder
• Electric or gas powered shears
• Gloves
• String

Instructions

1. 

   Make certain your cutting materials are sharp to avoid injury to the tree.

   Wear gloves while performing this task since dry leaves are prickly. You should start by hand pruning out broken branches and dead wood. This will allow you to better see what you have to deal with. This is a good time to apply the saw to any rogue large branches that the shears will not be able to handle.

2. Use the shears to trim up the sides of the tree. In order to preserve its shape, start at the bottom and drag trimmers upward, angling in toward the top. The trick is to keep the tree conical. The amount taken off will depend upon whether the tree has grown as much as you need it to and if it has had regular care. A neglected tree will need much more off and you may run into heavy limbs that require the saw or large pruners.

3. 

   Use a good sturdy ladder when tackling the highest parts of the tree

   Prune the top to keep it at the level that you want. If the hedge is still growing, just top the trees to match in a straight line all the way across. You can use a string line to help you sight the cuts. You may need someone to spot you on the ladder for safety.

4. Trim the tree twice a year once it has reached the full size that you want. After the first trim, the second will most likely only require shears and a light trim all the way around.

References

• About Astronomy: Leyland Cypress
• Clemson Cooperative Extension: Leyland Cypress
• Stihl Power Tools: How to Trim Your Hedge
• The Master Gardeners: When and How to Prune and Evergreen Hedge