Look below for a link to the conifer forum here at Garden Web- those are the guys that can help you best :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Conifer Forum

floridavid, my experience has been mostly with Arizona Cypress, a cousin to Italian Cypress, but with all the cypress I have observed, I've never seen the weight of the cones have much effect on the branches. That said, if that is the case, then whatever you do this year to correct the problem, (whether you remove the cones or remove branches, etc.) will have to be done again and again and again routinely in the future. If that is not a position you want to be in, perhaps you should consider planting a better cypress cultivar now close to these and then removing your existing trees in 3-5 years when the new ones become established.

bottom line

you planted a poor excuse for a tree... it has so many problems.. that most people.. short of having professional garden staff.. can not keep up with all the problems..

the problems start with those you list.. and the list goes on from there..

i think scots idea is best... plant better plants.. so that when they start growing .. you can remove the problem children later ...

better selections might be found in the conifer forum ....

ken

I am having the same issue with my Italian cypress trees. They look pathetic with tons of cones bending the branches. Did yours resolve. Did the cones fall off and the branches return to their upright position? Thank you