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About Leyland Cypress Trees For Georgia Gardens

By Catherine Stone


Georgia is just about right for one very popular ornamental tree. Leyland Cypress trees thrive in zones 6 to 8, although they are found in a much wider range. If you are going to the expense and trouble of planting a tree or a hedge in your yard, you should check this one out. This hybrid is easy to grow and care for and very, very beautiful.

The variety is a result of an accidental cross between the Monterey Cypress and the Nootka Cypress. These two types were planted near each other on a British estate. Cross-pollination occurred and the new tree was born. Emerald green in color, with a pleasing cone shape and dense pattern of growth, the new variety also grew more rapidly than either of its parents. There are other hybrid types that came about either by accident or by careful cross-breeding.

The Leylands are often marketed for hedges or windbreaks. They grow well in urban areas, being tolerant of air pollution, and also thrive along the coast, since they can withstand salt spray. They grow rapidly into effective windbreaks and are tolerant of drought. Their soft branches are easy to prune, a necessary practice to keep them from growing too tall. Usually you won't want a hedge to grow to extreme heights. The shallow-rooted Leyland can blow over in a stiff wind if allowed to get too tall.

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.

They grow up to four feet a year, increasing in diameter, too. A mature Leyland can be over 100 feet tall and 25 feet wide. They don't like wet soils but otherwise are remarkably tolerant of soil types. Georgia's planting zones are perfect, since the tree prefers zones 6 to 8. However, you find Leylands all over from zone 5 to 10. Full sun is best for these fast-growing evergreens, but they can make do in light shade.

A single tree can make a magnificent specimen. It can grow to 130 feet, spread to 25 feet wide, and has a naturally pleasing shape if it is nursery-grown from cuttings. Seedling trees can be more straggly. The original hybrids are mostly still alive and well in Britain, so that makes them over 125 years old.

If you want a dense, vibrantly green hedge, get starter plants (these should still be grown from cuttings) and space them at least five feet apart. Plan to prune them so they won't outgrow their space; pruning will keep the height under control and help each individual tree to fill in all the space around it. If the cypresses are set too close together, the lower branches may die, leaving the hedge scraggly and less protective.

Relatively inexpensive and renowned for being easy to grow, this kind of cypress is very popular. Most of Georgia has the ideal climate to grow Leylands. A little care for the first year after planting and you're great-grandchildren will enjoy them.




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