How to Water a Newly Planted Leyland Cypress Tree

Leyland cypress trees are fast-growing evergreen trees often used to create barriers or windbreaks. Because Leyland cypress trees can grow more than 3 feet each year, they rapidly become large enough to fill vacant areas in a landscape. Although these trees are generally drought tolerant after they establish in a growing location, you must water a newly planted Leyland cypress tree carefully to ensure that the root system grows properly.

Water the soil around the newly planted Leyland cypress tree to saturate it evenly. Continue adding water to the soil until it feels and looks moist. Do not water to the point of puddles forming, however.

Allow the soil to dry slightly after the initial watering over the next day or two. Slight drying means the top 1/2 inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Provide another gentle watering with the garden hose or watering can when the top 1/2 inch of soil feels dry. Saturate the soil evenly with the water. By watering slowly, you allow the water to penetrate deeply down to the roots to help the roots become strong.

Monitor the soil around the Leyland cypress for about three months after planting. Expect to water the new tree about twice each week during this time. If the weather becomes excessively hot, you may need to water three times per week to keep the tree adequately hydrated.

Overwatering is more damaging to the Leyland cypress than underwatering. Err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering.