Question
I have three Boulevard Cyprus tress planted on a parking strip that have gotten to be too wide.  They are only about 6 or 7 feet tall.  I have to get them more narrow or get rid of them.  I started to prune one yesterday and went a little crazy and cut it all the way back to the trunk from the ground to about 5 feet and just left a little ball on top.  It obviously looks funny no, I'm just wondering if it will be ok and if I should prune the others or if I should just take them out.  Thanks
Becky

Answer
This tree has a Height: 8 to 10 Feet and a Spread: 5 to 6 Feet
Sounds like it is the wrong tree for the small space it is planted in. They can be kept trimmed back (sheared). Trimming them simular to giving a light hair cut. Cutting the limbs back to the trunk will either kill the tree or as you say make a stick. The cut limbs will not regrow.  Either trim the out sdie of the branches (hair cut fashion ) or replace with a smaller tree or one that will have no lower limbs when larger. I assume the limbs will grow over the parking lot and lower ones could hit cars. I would check with your local nursery for a tree to fit that space.