My cypress windbreak is getting old. Should I remove it or keep it?

Usually neither extreme - the goal is keeping the function while retiring the risk. A practical windbreak plan looks like this: Assess row by row: which trees are sound, which are declining, which are already dead Reduce and thin the keepers to cut their wind sail and limb weight Remove only the failures - the trees past saving Stage replacements on the windward side so the property never loses its shelter entirely Coastside windbreaks planted a century ago did their job well; the mistake is treating them as permanent. An assessment gives you a phased plan and a budget instead of a guess.

Usually neither extreme – the goal is keeping the function while retiring the risk. A practical windbreak plan looks like this:

Assess row by row: which trees are sound, which are declining, which are already dead
Reduce and thin the keepers to cut their wind sail and limb weight
Remove only the failures – the trees past saving
Stage replacements on the windward side so the property never loses its shelter entirely

Coastside windbreaks planted a century ago did their job well; the mistake is treating them as permanent. An assessment gives you a phased plan and a budget instead of a guess.