Monterey cypress: when and how to prune

Monterey cypress: when to prune it?

JFMAMJJASOND

Lightly in April and, if needed, a second time in August; not during frosty spells.

What else to prune in those months? April · August

Monterey cypress: how to prune it?

1. Trim only the young green shoots; one or two light trims a year are enough.
2. Remove dead or damaged branches to keep the plant airy.
3. On a hedge, only cut the top once it has reached the height you want.
4. Keep a hedge slightly narrower at the top than at the base.

How much to cut, and how often?

• There are 2 pruning periods a year: April and August. You don’t have to prune in every one.
• Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in April and August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

• Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Arizona cypress
• Italian cypress
• Almond tree
• Apple tree
• Apricot tree
• Beech

Plant profile: Monterey cypress · Pruning calendar and basic rules