Leyland Cypress - A Favorite Garden Plant



Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2009

by Dennis Sons
tn nursery

Leyland Cypress often known as leylandii is one such tree, which is famous for its rapid growth. It can grow 3 to 4 foot on deprived soils as well and can reach a magnificent height of 50 feet. This fast growing tree is a favorite for horticulture, as hedges and screens. Leyland Cypress structures a thick, elliptical or pyramidal outline when left out without pruning. The graceful and the slightly loose branches of this tree can even tolerate extreme trimming to make a proper hedge or a screen. The foliage of the tree is composed of supple, sharp leaves on the flattened braches. The young leaves are in regular green color, which will on maturation, turn into dark blue-green. You will find the tree evergreen and the leaves do not turn pale or fall off during winters. Leyland Cypress outgrows in small spaces very fast, and hence do not suit the residential landscapes until it is trimmed regularly. However, if you use it only in large landscapes, it will grow naturally into a beautiful conical shape.

Leyland Cypress requires abundant sunlight, but can tolerate high level of pollution and salt. It can sustain in any type of soil. Moderately fertile soil with sufficient moisture is the best soil for the growth of this tree. You will not be able to use the tree much for forestry, as it does not have a strong root base. They are easy to uproot as they have relatively shallow roots. As this shallow structure of the plant cannot tolerate hot summer climates, it is difficult to find Leyland Cypress in the Southern parts of America.

The commercial propagation of the Leyland Cypress started in 1925 by a famous nursery, which was looking for a fast growing plant. Now it is one of the biggest selling trees in the nurseries as it is much suited for the gardens and as a Christmas tree. There are many cultivars of the plant; few of them are Castlewellan, Leighton Green, Haggerston Gray, Naylor's Blue, and Silver Dust. The plant does not bear any flowers, and hence no cultivation through pollination or seeds. The only propagation of the plant is by rooted cuttings or stem cuttings.

Not many pests, except for bagworm affect Leyland Cypress. This can defoliate the tree in two are three weeks. If you find that the tree is infected, then improve the condition immediately to avoid death of the plant. The plant usually is away from the diseases. However, growing in very hot summer temperatures might affect it with the canker disease, hence these trees are not for plantation in the California region of United States, where the temperature is usually high. Another name for canker disease is foliage fungus and it occasionally infects plant life. Canker is a very serious disease that can even cause death of the plant. Hence, you have to take protective measures to facilitate good growth of the plant according to the available conditions.

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