Leyland cypress trees can be seen wherever you go across the Southeastern United States. They are very popular for use as privacy hedges, ornamentals, and Christmas trees. These trees are appreciated for their function and enjoyed for their beauty when characteristics suit intended purposes. Where trees are not suitable, they may quickly overpower an area and/or prove to be high maintenance. Successful plantings of Leyland cypress trees are usually the result of much research and careful thought.
The Leyland cypress tree, Cupressus x leylandii, did not exist before 1888. In that year, on an estate in England, Monterey cypress trees from California hybridized with Nootka cypress trees from Alaska. In the wild, these parent trees had been growing over 400 miles apart and had no chance to hybridize. Few hybrids of these trees are fertile, and nearly all the Leyland cypresses we encounter today are the result of cuttings from infertile trees. Since Leyland cypress cuttings first appeared in California in 1941, the tree has become one of the most popular and useful Christmas and landscape trees in the United States.
The Leland cypress tree prefers full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. It is hardy to below 0 degrees F. Even in poor soil, it can grow 3 to 4 feet per year and reach heights of 60 to 70 feet. Many grow above 100 feet. The tree has a pyramidal to oblong form with a broad base that extends to the ground. A 50-foot tall tree has a base that can spread 25 feet. An older tree will lose bottom branches, which makes it less effective as a privacy barrier. Branches reach upward, with flattened branchlets. Resin may be observed on the branches. Branching is thick, catching wind as an effective windbreak. The wind it catches also stresses the tree’s shallow roots to possibly uproot and topple the tree in wet weather. The thick 
branches also collect snow, and this often damages branches. The damaged branches pictured are due to a 10 inch snow fall one month prior. Roots are relatively shallow, and they may disrupt nearby sidewalks and driveways. Bark on the trunk is reddish brown and scaly when young. It later develops gray, weathered strips. Leaves are evergreen and scale-like, and 1/16 to 1/8 inches long. They are green to bluish-green, and arranged in flat sprays. Flowers are not showy. Male flowers are 1/8-inch reddish brown terminal cones. Just touching a limb in the spring stirs up a cloud of pollen. Female flowers are slightly larger, round, and yellow-green. The fruit is a cone having 8 scales which is round, brown, and ½ to 3/4 inches in diameter. The seeds ripen in the second year, and they are usually infertile.
The National Christmas Tree Association says the Leyland cypress is the most popular Christmas tree in the Southeastern United States. This is attributed to its rapid growth, its conical form, its dense, soft foliage that requires little trimming, and its lack of tree sap and pollen to which some people are allergic. It has little aroma. It drops few needles and can remain fresh through the Christmas season. Salable trees are produced in four years.
New Zealand and Australia has had more experience using Leyland cypress trees for building materials than most countries. There, heartwood is useful in making boats, wood joints, roofing shingles, and outdoor lumber that 
does not touch the ground. Outdoor use lumber should be treated with appropriate preservative. It is also used for house framing and roof trusses. It is an attractive wood suitable for furniture, interior paneling, bed frames, and cedar chests. The wood has a pale yellow-brown color and a fine, even texture. It is straight-grained with knots. It works well with hand and machine tools, holds glue well, and takes a good finish. It has been used to make flamenco guitars because it gives a very bright and clear sound while remaining inexpensive.
In the United States, as in England, the Leyland cypress is popular for use as an ornamental, for privacy hedges, and as a wind break. As a privacy hedge, it creates a 
privacy screen in a shorter period of time than most other living privacy screens. It can be beautiful. However, unless it is grown on large lots or large areas, it quickly grows past the size most would like the tree to be. It overpowers small areas, obstructing beautiful views and engulfing previously sunny areas like vegetable and flower gardens in darkness. It is easy to become identified as the person on the street with the problem trees instead of the person on the street with the house. Problems growing Leyland cypress trees include correct spacing and how to deal with dead branches and trees that may appear. Dead areas in the trees are caused by diseases, mostly in stressed shallow roots. The hot, dry summers that are common in the southern United States are stressful. Watering 
helps, especially when trees are being established, but too much water is damaging also. Roots crowded by close spacing or nearness to barriers like buildings are also stressed. Pruning and replacing dead areas leaves the hedge appearing irregular, but hopefully over time the areas will fill in. Growing Leland cypress trees can be high maintenance, and temporary. However, successfully grown trees can make beautiful and effective borders.
Anyone considering a privacy fence should research possibilities, and discuss it with neighbors. My next-door neighbor asked me what I thought about planting Leyland cypress trees along our properly line, to give each of us some privacy. When I told him the idea sounded fine, he planted the trees. He has had to deal with dead branches and dead trees as described above. On my side of the hedge, I have had to rearrange how, what, and where to plant in my garden due to increased shading. My neighbor and I enjoy our increased privacy. We are still friends, but we don’t see each other much anymore…
I recommend the following book by Kathy Shelton on making attractive Garden Walls, Fences and Hedges. It is available through my participation in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Any purchase through this link helps maintain this website and is appreciated.
