Can you cut the top off of an Italian Cypress tree, or will that throw it into shock?

Question

I ask because I have two of them that are about a month away from hitting the eave.

Answer 1

Two things:
If the area you live in freezes, than your too late. You can't trim any deciduous plant unless you have at least 6 weeks before a hard freeze.

If you don't live a cold area, sure go ahead, but don't cut off too much. The rule of thumb is no more than 1/3 per year. An example would be: if you want to cut off a total of 3 feet, you can only cut off 1 foot per year for 3 years.

Just an added thing, after cutting off the top, or anywhere on the shrub, spray a product called Wilt Proof or Wilt Stop to the cut areas. This will seal the wound & prevent moisture from evaporating from the wound. Evergreens grow all year, even in the Winter time,just slower. That's why they're green.

Answer 2

Just take a chain saw and lop the top off. It'll continue to grow. Some people actually trim them regularly, because they grow at different heights and people like that uniform column look of a row of Italian cypress trees together.