Leyland Cypress hard pruning - Ask Extension
Hi,
I have an arborist scheduled for December to dramatically prune an untamed 20 year old Leyland Cypress hedge. See attached images - taking off 1...
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Leyland Cypress hard pruning #775767
Asked October 18, 2021, 8:51 PM EDT
Hi,
I have an arborist scheduled for December to dramatically prune an untamed 20 year old Leyland Cypress hedge. See attached images - taking off 1/3 of its 30+ feet, shaving two sides. The second image shows a line of L.C. whacked by the city last May that looks like it will not recover. If mine are destined to suffer the same fate, is there a better approach?
Thank you,
Garth
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Garth,
The General Rule for Conifers is this: Some green growth must remain on pruned branches if they are to continue to grow.
Put another way, the General Rule for Conifers is this: Any branch pruned, such that it is without green growth, won't develop new greenery. (Thus, the branches in the "doomed" images will remain that way forever.)
I suspect that if you have someone prune the hedge as suggested in the image, your conifers will look very similar, if not the same, as in the "doomed image."
Consider inviting at least 3 ISA Certified Arborists, for onsite evaluations, to ask how the trees may be pruned and still remain attractive. They may suggest thinning (removing) some branches and shortening others, possibly over several years.
Only after you consider their suggestions, decide who will prune the trees.
Another option is to remove and replace the trees with conifers better suited to the available space.
We suggest ISA Certified Arborists because they must pass an exam, then must acquire yearly continuing education. You can locate such persons by using your zip code as the search phrase at https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch.
If you have further questions, please ask.
The General Rule for Conifers is this: Some green growth must remain on pruned branches if they are to continue to grow.
Put another way, the General Rule for Conifers is this: Any branch pruned, such that it is without green growth, won't develop new greenery. (Thus, the branches in the "doomed" images will remain that way forever.)
I suspect that if you have someone prune the hedge as suggested in the image, your conifers will look very similar, if not the same, as in the "doomed image."
Consider inviting at least 3 ISA Certified Arborists, for onsite evaluations, to ask how the trees may be pruned and still remain attractive. They may suggest thinning (removing) some branches and shortening others, possibly over several years.
Only after you consider their suggestions, decide who will prune the trees.
Another option is to remove and replace the trees with conifers better suited to the available space.
We suggest ISA Certified Arborists because they must pass an exam, then must acquire yearly continuing education. You can locate such persons by using your zip code as the search phrase at https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch.
If you have further questions, please ask.
