I Have Some Leyland Cypress Trees About 30 Feet Tall….
Rick Asked
I have some Leyland cypress trees about 30 feet tall. Some of the limbs are sagging due to the snow we had in March. Will the sagging branches eventually upright themselves? They have about a 40 degree sag in some of the branches.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Rick: Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii) are fast-growing evergreens that are unfortunately prone to wind, snow, and ice damage. These plants are ideal in terms of a fast-growing screen, but this also means they have their negative aspects as well. Since they can grow up to 3 feet in one year, this means the wood does not have time to become as strong as it would if it were a slower grower. The branching structure and the shallow roots of the trees make them very susceptible to storm damage. At this point the damage is done, and unless the branches are split or actually broken off they should stand upright again. This will take time and there is no guarantee, so it would be beneficial to remove some of the weight of the branches that are not upright. Proper pruning can make your evergreens less susceptible to future damage. If the branches are broken they should be pruned back. Either way, hiring a certified arborist would be the way to go. You can contact your County Cooperative Extension Service for local recommendations.
