Cypress – Topping

Q: We recently hired a landscape architect to plan our landscape. He recommended topping our big Leyland cypresses to make a tall hedge. Is that OK?

A: The only reason I’m not a fan of topping Leyland cypress is that you’ll have to climb a ladder every couple of years to clip out the new growth that occurs after cutting out the top. Beyond that quibble, though, topping a Leyland cypress is acceptable. It is a widespread practice in Europe.