I have some Italian Cypress (in Arizona). They are green but the inside has dead brown. How to trim?

Question

I heard you cut a number of small holes in the shrub so light can get to teh inside and hte inside will turn green. Thoughts? Can I do this in winter? spring? summer?
Thanks.

Answer 1

this is the best time of year to do sun lite cuts. it will get light inside and start new growth and wont get sun scold so much. you know plants can get sun burn too. if it was me doing it i would get in it and clean out all dead wood and foliage 1st. then make some sun light cuts at random. but all around the plant. but make them no larger than your fist, i have 25 years landscape experience,and 5 years horticulture class's. you will see a difference in the plant in a few months after you do sun light pruning. good luck. and fertilize the plant also.

Answer 2

The important thing to remember about Italian Cypress, or any plant for that matter, is that parts that don't get sunshine aren't going to grow. The way Italian Cypress grows makes it particularly susceptible though. What you need to do is a general thinning of the outside branches so that sunlight can get in to the middle of the plant. You'll see results quickly, especially in your climate. However, when they reach 30 feet, like some of mine, pruning is impossible, so I just leave them alone and they still look great.