Leylandii Cypress
The Leyland Cypress, Cupressocyparis leylandii, is one of the world's fastest growing evergreens, possibly beaten only by Eucalyptus. A Leylandii hedge can get so big that the The High Hedges Act was drawn up specifically to give people legal recourse against neighbours who let their Leylandii get out of hand (though the law can apply to any evergreen hedge over two metres tall, it was not until this tree became so popular that the law became necessary). They are magnificent trees, with flat leaves that spray upwards in wide fronds, and they naturally form a grand, tapering column. When it comes to creating privacy, nothing really comes close to a Leyland Cypress hedge, which can easily conceal a ten storey house. It was created by chance, when two different American species of Cypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis and Cupressus macrocarpa) that never normally meet in the wild were brought into contact with each other in Wales. The first occurance of this curious hybrid was recorded in 1888 and by 1911, when some more were discovered, it had become clear that a very special tree had come into being. In the right conditions, Leylandii can top a metre of growth each and every year, which is almost unheard of for a conifer - only the giant redwoods come close. The wood is high quality structural timber and its rate of growth makes it very attractive commercially, but there is one drawback. Being a hybrid of foreign trees, it supports very few insects and a Leylandii plantation is not good thing for our local ecosystems. On the bright side, you can rest assured that your trees have almost no natural enemies (stressed trees can develop bacterial cankers but this only tends to happen if they have been cut back too hard or become very dehydrated). The Cypress Aphid seems not to have a taste for Leylandii and we have never heard of anyone having a problem with it.
Cupressocyparis leylandii: Planting, Pruning and Caring for Your Leylandii Cypress:
Leylandii has a bad name with some people, which we think is a bit unfair, as it is the owners of the tree who are responsible for keeping it under control. Contrary to some popular opinions, trimming Leylandii twice a year will keep it in check and there is no reason why you can't keep your hedge fairly short, as long as you never miss a clip. Problems only arise when it gets neglected. Because it hates having its old wood cut, it is nearly impossible to reduce its height without ending up with a very sad looking hedge and a severe pruning can even kill your trees. Stay on top of your trimming duties and all will be well! Plant your trees at three to the metre for a thick, lush hedge.
That said, if you only want a 2 metre tall hedge, then we really recommend something easier to look after (like Yew). Leyland Cypress is really best as a tall screening plant. Your plants will need watering during dry spells in their first summer. At its full height, a Leylandii Cypress can clock in at around 40 metres (130 feet) which is doubly impressive when you consider that it can get there in comfortably under forty years.
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