Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Care for a Leyland Cypress
How to Care for a Leyland Cypress. The Leyland Cypress is a low-maintenance tree. It is a good choice for privacy screens and hedges, however, being a fast growing tree (when young it can grow 3 to 4 feet a year reaching 50 feet in 10 years), it will quickly outgrow small yards unless kept pruned. The Leyland Cypress is hardy in Zones Six through...
The Leyland Cypress is a low-maintenance tree. It is a good choice for privacy screens and hedges, however, being a fast growing tree (when young it can grow 3 to 4 feet a year reaching 50 feet in 10 years), it will quickly outgrow small yards unless kept pruned. The Leyland Cypress is hardy in Zones Six through 10A and tolerates poor soil, salt spray, drought, severe pruning and partial shade to a full sun. The Leyland Cypress is evergreen, meaning that it doesn't lose its leaves in the fall, and its leaves don't change color in the fall. It tolerate pests well and is only susceptible to Seiridium canker and bag worms. If you want your tree to thrive, follow these steps.
Things You'll Need
Leyland Cypress
Shovel
Water
10-10-10 or 13-13-13 fertilizer
Pruning shears
Plan to plant your Leyland Cypress six weeks before the first frost date.
Dig a hole approximately two times larger than than the size of the root ball and deep enough to place the top of the root ball level with the top of the ground.
Center the root ball in the middle of the hole, spread out the roots and back fill with soil, tamping down occasionally to avoid air pockets.
Water deeply two to three times a week. The roots will become established in about six weeks, and you can stop watering at this time.
To shape your tree and to encourage dense growth, you will need to cut back the long side shoots selecting one leader and trimming the sides. The first pruning should be done the spring after planting. Trim again in mid-summer. After the first year, the Leyland Cypress will only need to have its sides pruned once a year in mid-summer. When the tree has reached the desired height, prune the leading shoot, also called topping the tree.
Fertilize your Leyland Cypress three to four weeks after planting with a 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 fertilizer. For optimum growth, fertilize your tree every three months. Sprinkle the fertilizer around the drip line of the tree according to package instructions.
Tips & Warnings
The Leyland Cypress grows best in full sun and moderately fertile soil.
For a privacy screen, hedge or windbreak, plant the trees 5 to 6 feet apart.
The Leyland Cypress can be propagated from cuttings taken from the side of the tree.
Keep your Cypress pruned for denser growth.
Do not over water your Leyland Cypress as this causes root rot.
The Leyland Cypress is a fast growing tree and is not suitable for small spaces. Shallow roots make the Leyland Cypress susceptible to toppling in extremely wet weather and high winds.
