Topping Leyland Cypress: Managing Height and Stability in Mature Trees

Q: I have rows of large (30-40 ft) Leyland Cypress trees surrounding a pool, "shaved/pruned" for 14 years. They've become top-heavy and started to splinter/lean. To get a few more years, I topped them at 20 ft. Will the reduced nutrient demand at the missing top benefit the remaining base?

I don't think there will be great nutrient benefit. There might be water benefit to the lower part. Leyland cypress don't grow big root systems—that's why they get diseases often.

You were smart to top them because they often fall over from being top-heavy.