How to prune monterey cypress

Late spring to early summer after the main growth flush; avoid late autumn cuts. For hedges, use powered or hand shears to trim new green growth back by about a third, maintaining a slight taper (wider at base) to allow light to all levels. On specimens, remove only dead or structurally weak branches at the collar. Never reduce below the live green foliage zone.

Annually for hedges; as-needed for specimen trees. Monterey Cypress is a fast-growing, wind-sculpted tree that tolerates clipping well when used as a hedge but needs no pruning when grown as a specimen. Hedge rows benefit from annual trimming to keep them dense. Avoid cutting into bare brown wood — like most cypresses it will not regenerate from leafless stems.

For hedges, use powered or hand shears to trim new green growth back by about a third, maintaining a slight taper (wider at base) to allow light to all levels. On specimens, remove only dead or structurally weak branches at the collar. Never reduce below the live green foliage zone.