How to top Italian Cypress in a healthy manner.

[Claire.Z]

Our neighbor below us is willing to have us pay to top his 26 Italian Cypress trees, which have obliterated what for decades had been an excellent view of the downtown skyline - and therefore significantly reduced our home value.

We want to ensure that the cutting is done in a manner that will not harm the trees. We understand that rather than a straight horizontal cut, they must be cut in an irregular pattern to promote replacement growth. The space between the trees will fill in. The trees will continue to grow in height, but at a much slower rate.

The company we want to hire is experienced in this, but we need to make sure their strategy is arboreally correct.

 

[Raintree]

First of all, topping and harming are one in the same. Topping in a irregular pattern has nothing to do with promoting any more or less growth. Find an other arborist if this is what you've been told.
The reason why the cutting will be uneven is that the cedars have different heights. No more than one third should be taken from each plant. I would recommend only 25%.
I wouldn't touch this job, it's got legal issues written all over it. Consult a lawyer get your butt covered in case the neighbors don't like what's been done.
An old saying in the tree business is, "Once it's cut, you can't put it back."

 

[jefflovstrom]

I agree with Raintree, first of all, they will Not grow back at a slower rate. The growth rate will be vastly vigorous. They will become high maintenance and may slowly decline. I have been doing tree work here in San Diego for decades and I am a certified arborist. I would recommend removal and replace with a more suitable species.
Jeff
It was a beautiful day!

 

[Claire.Z]

First of all, topping and harming are one in the same. Topping in a irregular pattern has nothing to do with promoting any more or less growth. Find an other arborist if this is what you've been told.
The reason why the cutting will be uneven is that the cedars have different heights. No more than one third should be taken from each plant. I would recommend only 25%.
I wouldn't touch this job, it's got legal issues written all over it. Consult a lawyer get your butt covered in case the neighbors don't like what's been done.
An old saying in the tree business is, "Once it's cut, you can't put it back."

Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply, esp the 25-33% rule. We will discuss what to do if the neighbor is unhappy with the result, and that remediation must be between him and the arborist. In CA, people sue first and talk later, so your comment is helpful. We're all regretting that we didn't do this years ago.

 

[Claire.Z]

I agree with Raintree, first of all, they will Not grow back at a slower rate. The growth rate will be vastly vigorous. They will become high maintenance and may slowly decline. I have been doing tree work here in San Diego for decades and I am a certified arborist. I would recommend removal and replace with a more suitable species.
Jeff
It was a beautiful day!

Hi Jeff. Can you please provide your phone number here or email it to me at [email protected]? I'd like to discuss this further. Removal isn't an option given their size and root structure.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Hi Claire, I don't use this site to promote or solicite business. You should have more the one qualified arborist to choose from, so I am recommending you go here and search by zip code, Click here, https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist
Jeff,
It was a beautiful day!