How to Trim a Florida Cypress
- 1). Locate dead, diseased or broken branches on the tree. Mark the locations of these branches by marking a cutting line at the base of the branch where you intend to perform the trimming. Place the line at the base of the branch on the side of the branch collar that’s outside the tree trunk. The branch collar is a small, swollen looking area of wood at the base of the branch against the trunk.
- 2). Find any healthy branches that are creating spreading problems with the tree. These problems include branches that become entangled in nearby trees, or begin to press up against or over structures. Mark cutting lines with the chalk on these branches as well. Instead of removing the branch entirely at the base though, you can place your lines mid-branch, pruning it back away from the problem areas instead.
- 3). Cut smaller branches, about 2 inches in diameter or less with a pair of lopping shears. Place the blades of the shears around the branch at the marked cutting line. Press together the handles of the shears, closing the blades around the branches and cutting them off along the line.
- 4). Cut a wedge into the bottom of larger tree branches that you’re removing entirely with the blade of a pole pruner 6 inches onto the branch from the branch collar. Extend the wedge into the branch about one-third of the way through. The wedge will protect the collar of the branch from damage by easing the weight of the branch as you cut it from the tree, keeping it from splintering the collar as you cut.
- 5). Cut the larger branch off completely with the pole pruner, making the cut 2 inches further on the branch form the wedge. Saw from the top of the branch downward until the branch falls from the tree as you cut through. Remove the remainder of the branch by cutting along the collar on the branch side until that section falls away as well.
- 6). Cut the larger tree branches that you’re only pruning mid-branch by sawing through the branch at the marked pruning point.
- 7). Seal the cut with a layer of latex pruning sealer. Apply the sealer with a paint roller attached to an extension pole.
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