I have some 20ft tall C.Leylandii that need pruning, whats the best way apart from cutting the tops off?

Question

I have a ladder and a chainsaw and the usual pruning tools.

Answer 1

1,cut the sides back now. as far as you can.
2,the topmost branches take out 5feet next year you will cut back to a branch this branch will grow up wards to become the top of tree.
3, try to keep a wider base and narrow top .hope this has been helpful peter c

Answer 2

Cypress don't generally need pruning. It sounds as if you think they are too tall? If so, why do you think they are too tall?

Whatever you do, do NOT top them. It will be ugly and will promote decay. New branches will sprout from the decaying branches creating a safety hazard.

Topping trees is something that only ignorant tree "professionals" do. It is the worst thing that can be done to a tree. If the trees are truly too tall, remove them and plant a more appropriate species.

Answer 3

They are horrible, eh? If you are an amateur- and I presume you are, or you wouldn't be asking THIS sorry bunch- then I strongly advise against using a chainsaw whilst up a ladder.

It's a job for a professional and usually they just lop the tops off. It's ugly but then they are ugly trees to begin with. Why not do your neighbours a favour and get a nice beech hedge instead?

Answer 4

Leylandii Pruning

Answer 5

If the cypress are too tall or too large, remove them. Don't disfigure them by lopping off the tops! What remains will be ugly as sin and no benefit to your property. Replant something that will stay in scale with the area.

You don't cut the tail from a whale because it grew too tall, same with a tree. It's a tree! Not a shrub.

Answer 6

You could cut the bottoms off, which would probably be a great relief to your neighbours!! :)

More seriously:

Conifers and most evergreens, e.g. Lawson cypress, leylandii, yew, cotoneaster and pyracantha.

Initial pruning
On planting (October or March) leave the leader unpruned, lightly cutting back any straggly sideshoots. In summer trim laterals and tie-in the leader to a supporting cane as it grows. Use secateurs for broad-leaved evergreens (e.g. laurel, bay).

Subsequent pruning
Clip to the desired shape one to three times during summer (until late August). Stop the leader at the desired height.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Sorry the only way to stop them getting taller is to cut the main growing stalk.

Answer 9

nape them