A tree is an major investment of time and energy, so it pays to choose the right one for your garden. Leyland Cypress trees can make a living fence or privacy hedge. An individual one can be a striking focal point for your landscape. This cypress originated in Great Britain, and it's eminently suitable for most of Georgia's regions.
This extremely popular variety of landscape tree is not native to anywhere. The first examples of this conifer (cone bearing evergreen) grew on a British estate as a hybrid between two cypress species. Some Monterey cypress were planted near some Nootka cypress and they cross-pollinated. The new trees were emerald green, well-shaped, and extremely fast growing. Other landowners had the same serendipity; there are over 40 types of the species today.
The rapid growth and dense foliage of this hybrid form makes them great for privacy hedges or windbreaks. The tree is tolerant of air pollution, which makes it good for urban areas. It is fairly drought-tolerant, so it takes little care. It gets very tall and very wide; it can be pruned to keep it under control, but beware of crowding and of over-shadowing your neighbor's yard.
In the right conditions, this variety is sturdy and disease-resistant. It is shallow-rooted, so very strong winds are a threat once it grows over twenty feet tall. Its soft branches make it easy to prune but also make it vulnerable to damage from heavy snowfall. Homeowners in hot, dry regions should provide a good soaking once a week.
Tall: up to and over 100 feet, growing up to four feet a year. Wide: up to 25 feet. It thrives in full sun, acidic and well-drained soil, and a spacing of at least five feet apart. It can do well in any soil, needs only a little help in very hot and dry regions, and can be grown near the ocean, since salt spray doesn't hurt it. Planting zones 6 to 8 are ideal (making it perfect for Georgia), but it can survive in zones 5 to 10. It prefers full sun but will be OK in light shade.
A lone Leyland can make a striking focal point for any landscape. Nursery-started specimens grown from cuttings retain the dense growth and symmetrical shape of the originals; seedlings tend to be scraggly. No one knows how long these trees live, since most of the original hybrids are still flourishing on their British soil. That's over 125 years and still counting, with heights of 130 feet.
For a dense hedge, plant no less than five feet apart. Annual pruning to keep the trees from getting too tall will help keep them bushy all the way to the ground. If they are crowded together, the lower branches may die, ruining both the appearance of the hedge and its effectiveness. Crowded trees are also more vulnerable to disease.
The popularity of this tree is partly because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to grow. However, their beauty also makes them desirable. In Georgia, homeowners should check their planting zones, make sure that such a vigorous variety won't shade neighboring properties, and make sure the plants they choose are started from cuttings. If conditions are favorable, the Leyland cypress should be a joy for many years to come.
This extremely popular variety of landscape tree is not native to anywhere. The first examples of this conifer (cone bearing evergreen) grew on a British estate as a hybrid between two cypress species. Some Monterey cypress were planted near some Nootka cypress and they cross-pollinated. The new trees were emerald green, well-shaped, and extremely fast growing. Other landowners had the same serendipity; there are over 40 types of the species today.
The rapid growth and dense foliage of this hybrid form makes them great for privacy hedges or windbreaks. The tree is tolerant of air pollution, which makes it good for urban areas. It is fairly drought-tolerant, so it takes little care. It gets very tall and very wide; it can be pruned to keep it under control, but beware of crowding and of over-shadowing your neighbor's yard.
In the right conditions, this variety is sturdy and disease-resistant. It is shallow-rooted, so very strong winds are a threat once it grows over twenty feet tall. Its soft branches make it easy to prune but also make it vulnerable to damage from heavy snowfall. Homeowners in hot, dry regions should provide a good soaking once a week.
Tall: up to and over 100 feet, growing up to four feet a year. Wide: up to 25 feet. It thrives in full sun, acidic and well-drained soil, and a spacing of at least five feet apart. It can do well in any soil, needs only a little help in very hot and dry regions, and can be grown near the ocean, since salt spray doesn't hurt it. Planting zones 6 to 8 are ideal (making it perfect for Georgia), but it can survive in zones 5 to 10. It prefers full sun but will be OK in light shade.
A lone Leyland can make a striking focal point for any landscape. Nursery-started specimens grown from cuttings retain the dense growth and symmetrical shape of the originals; seedlings tend to be scraggly. No one knows how long these trees live, since most of the original hybrids are still flourishing on their British soil. That's over 125 years and still counting, with heights of 130 feet.
For a dense hedge, plant no less than five feet apart. Annual pruning to keep the trees from getting too tall will help keep them bushy all the way to the ground. If they are crowded together, the lower branches may die, ruining both the appearance of the hedge and its effectiveness. Crowded trees are also more vulnerable to disease.
The popularity of this tree is partly because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to grow. However, their beauty also makes them desirable. In Georgia, homeowners should check their planting zones, make sure that such a vigorous variety won't shade neighboring properties, and make sure the plants they choose are started from cuttings. If conditions are favorable, the Leyland cypress should be a joy for many years to come.
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Find a summary of the reasons why you should plant Leyland Cypress trees and more info about a reputable tree nursery at http://thujagreengiantprivacytrees.com today.
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