Repairing Vandalized Leyland Cypress: Splinting a New Leader

Q: Neighbor kids stripped limbs from 2 of my 3-year-old Leyland cypresses (8-10 ft). Will they regrow or need replacement?

Try saving them:

1. Cut trunk 1″ above highest healthy branch.
2. Attach broomstick/dowel vertically to trunk, extending 1+ ft above cut.
3. Gently pull nearest healthy branch upright, tie to stick.
4. If it grows, it becomes new central leader. Kink fades in a few years.