So often we are called out to look at Leyland Cypress trees that are having problems, and we know what we are going to find in most cases before we get there. Leyland Cypress – Pruning. Even on sites of relatively poor culture, plants have been known to grow to heights of 15 metres (49 ft) in 16 years. Leyland cypress trees enjoy both part shade/part sun and full sun—the tree has very forgiving light requirements. Although excess pruning is destructive to a cypress, cutting back cypress trees at the right time and in the right way creates a better, stronger tree. Their rapid, thick growth means they are sometimes used to achieve … Q: Against my landscapers opinion I had him install about a dozen Leyland Cypress trees along the side of my house. He advised that they grew like weeds and would be hard to control.

Longest lower branches are 12' to 15'.

Some are up to 25' tall by 7' to 10' wide at base, about 8 years old. Pruning: generally, Leyland Cypress trees need very little pruning, especially if they’re being nurtured to form windbreaks or screens. Pruning Leyland Leylandii Cedar Cypress Trees are beautiful in natural shape, providing privacy on perimeter of acre, not near structures but some are only 3' away from road. Should tree be pruned? If you are using them as a hedge, then you should consider pruning them regularly so that they don’t become too tall. Leyland Cypress pruning is an art that is based on seasons and botanical science; you can only prune it between April and August after the harsh and chilly cold winter melts down. It tolerates drought conditions and is salt tolerant. A: Rick Smith, owner of The Pruning … The trick is to go in and … The Leyland cypress, Cupressus × leylandii, often referred to simply as leylandii, is a fast-growing coniferous evergreen tree much used in horticulture, primarily for hedges and screens. Pruning overgrown hedges With its rapid growth, a Leyland cypress hedge can soon become overgrown if not maintained at the desired height Healthy plants will usually respond well to reduction of up to one-third of the height . The Heartbreaking Leyland Cypress: What You Need to Know The Downey Trees blog is often upbeat and entertaining; this is not such a post. Leyland Cypress – Pruning. Rejuvenating a Cypress Tree If you are thinking of rejuvenating a cypress tree, it is important to prune at the correct time of year. Leyland Cypress – Pruning Overgrown. The cypress can be planted in many soils. I've never pruned an evergreen and after this heavy snow and rain … Shall I do the sides as well as the top to restrain it from growing. The tree tolerates clay, loam, sand and will grow in both acidic and alkaline soils but still needs to be planted in a well-drained site. Leyland Cypress – Pruning Overgrown. Can you recommend a time and manner for trimming these beasts? A: You can’t restrain it from growing, but Norm Mittleider, from The Art of Pruning, says Leyland cypress can be maintained as a nice hedge. That is the optimal growing season for the fence plant, and you can cut it three times depending on its size and stage of maturity. Q: I would like to prune some Leyland cypress trees standing next to our house. Was he ever right.