Squirrels Stripping Italian Cypress: Hard to Stop, Rarely Fatal

Red-Tailed Fox Squirrel Nipping Cypress Tips

Squirrels are tearing limbs off your 13-year-old, 20-foot Italian cypresses. You won’t kill or trap them. In nature, squirrels nip many trees lightly; in a yard with few trees, one takes the brunt. It’s usually aesthetic, not health-threatening.

Realistic Options

• No practical deterrent for tall trees.
• Tree will survive—squirrels don’t girdle main stems.
• I’ve asked colleagues for ideas; will update if any emerge.

Keep me posted. The damage looks worse than it is.