Pleaching will be difficult and perhaps not even eyepleasing. However a row of cypresses, each trained as a topiary - whether umbrella style, conical or standard will always look impressive. Pleaching means weaving and it involves interweaving flexible branches into each other. These branches eventually form into hardwood thereby completing the process.

hmmm.... pleaching... I think I gotta try this for sure.
Does pleaching result with the entertwined branches 'merging' with each other to create a single growing organism? Jim

The answer is no it doesn't create a single organism, but does create a seamless appearance when the plants are fully foliated.