How to prune alerce

Late winter, only if required. Use sharp, sterilised tools and cut dead branches cleanly back to the parent stem or a healthy lateral. No shearing, topping, or cosmetic reshaping — the natural form is the goal.

Rarely — only when dead or damaged growth warrants it. Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) is a slow-growing, endangered South American conifer. It requires essentially no pruning. Its naturally elegant, open habit should never be artificially shaped. Remove only dead or genuinely hazardous branches. This is a long-lived specimen tree — treat every cut as a serious decision and minimise intervention.

Use sharp, sterilised tools and cut dead branches cleanly back to the parent stem or a healthy lateral. No shearing, topping, or cosmetic reshaping — the natural form is the goal.