Is Leylandii a good hedge?
The mid to dark green foliage of Leylandii conifers, also known as the Leyland Cypress, creates a quick, dense privacy screen, that lasts year-round. Leylandii hedge plants are a cost-effective choice, forming a popular garden hedge that provides cover for a variety of wildlife, offering added interest. For example, leylandii hedges that grow to about 4 or 5 metres high will have a root system that runs 2 or 3 metres deep. Please note that if you do decide to severely trim down a leylandii hedge, it is best done during the spring months. If done any other time of the year, the conifer plants may not recover at all.This also applies to “topping” the trees- if you have huge leylandii trees you cannot just cut the tops off to reduce the height as you can with many other hedging species- you will simply end up with an ugly brown top to your hedge.Leylndii’s biggest strength is also its biggest drawback. Left unchecked, Leylandii can grow too tall and too wide, leading to an overgrown, unmanageable hedge. Mature Leylandii can reach over 10 metres (30 feet) in height. Needless to say this can block light from gardens and even neighbouring properties.Avoid cutting Leylandii hedges during very frosty or very hot weather. Try not to cut the hedge in wet conditions, the aim is for the cut edges to dry and heal as quickly as possible.If you trim your Leylandii hedge every year, you can keep it as narrow as 18 inches (45cm). Just trim it back to the same width every year from the start.
Why do people plant Leylandii?
This conifer has a rapid growth rate of approximately one metre per year, this means that it can quickly establish a dense and effective screen to create a sense of seclusion. An excellent candidate for year-round greenery, Leylandii maintains a beautiful green backdrop in any season due to its evergreen nature. Instant, natural screening for your garden Leylandii trees are still valuable for screening and also as a haven for wildlife. We have them in stock up to 4m tall.
What is the lifespan of a Leylandii?
The lifespan of a Leylandii (Leyland cypress) hedge can vary depending on various factors such as environmental conditions, maintenance, and disease susceptibility. On average, Leylandii hedges have a lifespan of around 20 to 25 years, although some hedges can be successfully managed for longer with proper care. What are some common problems? Common issues with Leylandii hedges include overgrowth, which can lead to disputes with neighbours, shading of neighbouring properties, root intrusion causing damage to structures or underground utilities, and susceptibility to pests and diseases.Trim your Leylandii hedge back to the same height and width every year – you can see where it was trimmed the previous year – this ensures it stays the same height and width and doesn’t grow taller or wider each year.
Do Leylandii grow back from stump?
If you cut back into the brown, leylandii will not re-shoot. This is not a problem if you keep your leylandii hedge trimmed from the start and you trim it back once a year to the same point. When the height of your leylandii trees grow to within 6 inches (15cm) of the height you want your hedge to be, trim off the tops. This will also help the plants thicken out.No. Always leave green growth on the sides of the hedge. If you cut back into the brown, leylandii will not re-shoot. This is not a problem if you keep your Leylandii hedge trimmed from the start and you trim it back once a year to the same point.So can I remove an unsightly leylandii hedge? And how do I make this look good! Almost always the answer is yes. There is a cost to this of course- they can be large trees and will require a specialist to get them out, but I have never had a client regret this!