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Cupressocyparis leylandii - (A.B.Jacks.&Dallim.)Dallim.

Leyland Cypress

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen Tree growing to 40m by 5m at a fast rate.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Canopy; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

Hedge; Shelterbelt.

Plants can be grown as a windbreak hedge succeeding in very exposed positions and reasonably tolerant of maritime exposure[11, 75]. They can suffer wind burn after prolonged storms but usually recover quickly[75]. Very fast growing, it can be trimmed so long as it is not cut back into old wood[11, 200]. Only young plants should be used for shelterbelts in exposed positions and these must not be pot-bound or they will never become really wind firm[11]. This species has been much used for hedging in urban gardens but it is singularly unsuitable for this purpose[200]. Although it very quickly provides a screen, it is much too vigorous for most gardens and will need constant attention to keep it within bounds[200].

Scented Plants

Leaves: Crushed

The bruised foliage has a sweet resinous scent.

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it prefers a moist fertile soil but also succeeds in sandy soils[188] and tolerates calcareous conditions[245]. Very wind resistant, it tolerates salt-laden winds and maritime exposure[11]. A very fast growing tree, capable of reaching 20 metres within 20 years[185]. A number of different clones are available[185, 200]. The Leyland cypress has been widely planted for hedging in recent years, though it is singularly unsuited for this purpose in all but the largest of sites[200]. The plant has gained the reputation of being very bad for wildlife since it offers native species very little in the way of food. However, it is favoured by many birds for roosting, high cover and especially for nesting because it offers such good cover. Our 12 hectare site was totally devoid of trees when we took it over in 1989, five years later we had our first birds nesting in trees on the land - in 4 metre tall Leyland cypresses![K]. Large specimens of this tree help to attract songbirds to the garden[200]. The bruised foliage has a sweet resinous scent[245]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, July/August in sandy soil in a humid frame[11]. Strikes readily. Cuttings from side growths in March[11].

Cultivars

No entries have been made for this species as yet.

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Trees and Shrubs for Shelterbelts: B-C.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[75] Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984
A small booklet packed with information on trees and shrubs for hedging and shelterbelts in exposed maritime areas.

[185] Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975 ISBN 0-11-710012-9
A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

UK Gov site on wildlife

Rich Sun Mar 12 14:35:27 2000

The DETR Wildlife and Countyside site has a number of intresting and useful resources. Including A Guide to Wildlife Law which covers Protected Plants and Prohibited Plants.

They also have info on tree presevation orders and a guide to hedges. With info on the infamous Leylandii and a natty little chart.

Cupressocyparis leylandii

jocasta Sat Oct 28 2006

a great tree to hide the face of nosey neighbour

Cupressocyparis leylandii

John Ives Wed Jan 24 2007

What is the root spread of Leylandii - I have one about 40 years old , has a wide trunk base and is way above house height. Question - where would the roots spread too and how deep Due to clay my house has very deep foundations but the tree is about 15ft from it. I would appreciate any advice - Thankyou

Cupressocyparis leylandii

Ian Atkinson Sun Jul 15 2007

Please could you advise me - I planted approx 100 very small/young leylandii as a screening hedge approx last november. They all survived & are doing ok but I wounder if I should be giving them some food to give them a boost in the early stages - what would you advise to use ? Many thanks for your help, Ian Atkinson North Yorkshire

Cupressocyparis leylandii

George Thu Nov 29 2007

Does anyone know of any problems with roots of a Leylandii

Cupressocyparis leylandii

Rodrigo de Sá Tue Dec 18 2007

How do I grow it from cuttings? There is one very pretty cultivar I want and cannot find it in the market, but I can take some cuttings from it. Does it develop roots in plain water? Do I need to stick it into soil and if so how moist? I love this tree in spite of all the bad publicity and I have a very large garden, so I won't be using it as a hedge.

Cupressocyparis leylandii

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future Thu Dec 20 2007

The best time to take cuttings of this plant is in the summer. Look for young shoots about 7cm long growing out from a main stem - pull this entire shoot off carefully so that a heel of wood remains at the base. Plant the cuttings in a sandy soil and keep humid until rooting has taken place. The cuttings usually strike readily.

Cupressocyparis leylandii

Omer Alkubaisy Wed Oct 15 2008

What is the root spread of Leylandii - I have one about 20 years old , has a wide trunk base and is way above house height. Question - where would the roots spread too and how deep Due to clay my house has very deep foundations but the tree is about 4m from it. I would appreciate any advice - Thankyou

Cupressocyparis leylandii

LES HOWARD Mon Oct 20 2008

Cupressocyparis leylandii HOW DUE YOU TREAT THE LATESTED BUG KILLING THE TREE

Cupressocyparis leylandii

blabla@hotmail.com Sat Apr 25 2009

planta da boa esperança

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