Pruning guide
How to prune hinoki cypress
More hinoki cypress care
Pruning hinoki cypress — FAQ
When should I prune hinoki cypress?
Early spring before new growth begins, for removal of dead or damaged wood only. Use hand pruners to remove dead or crossing branches back to a live lateral. Do not shear or cut into the fan-like branch tips — this ruins the natural layered appearance and exposes bare stems that will not re-bud.
How often does hinoki cypress need pruning?
Rarely; only as needed to remove dead or damaged material. Hinoki Cypress 'Nana Gracilis' is a slow-growing, fan-branched dwarf that is highly architectural and virtually self-maintaining. It rarely benefits from pruning and shearing destroys its tiered, layered character. Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Any hard cuts into bare wood will not regenerate.
How do you prune hinoki cypress?
Use hand pruners to remove dead or crossing branches back to a live lateral. Do not shear or cut into the fan-like branch tips — this ruins the natural layered appearance and exposes bare stems that will not re-bud.