Leyland cypress trees are low-maintenance, fast-growing evergreens that create excellent living fences in just a few seasons.
Leyland cypress trees are fast-growing and lush with blue-green foliage. These trees keep their needled leaves all year, creating a natural privacy screen when planted close together. Although they’re easy to maintain, pests and disease can sometimes pose a problem. Below, we’ll cover how to grow and care for Leyland cypress trees and what steps you can take to protect them from disease and insect infestations.
The Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) is an extremely fast-growing coniferous tree that is commonly used as an ornamental privacy hedge. This hybrid tree can reach staggering heights of 70-100 feet, with a spread of 15-25 feet.
With such an immense above-ground structure, it’s natural to assume the Leyland cypress has an extensive root system extending deep underground However, this is not the case Leyland cypresses actually have a very shallow root system relative to their height.
An Overview of the Leyland Cypress Root System
The Leyland cypress root system is shallow, generally reaching a depth of only 1-2 feet The roots lack a strong taproot and instead spread outward horizontally Leyland cypress roots typically extend as wide as the tree is tall. So a 50 foot tall tree may have roots spreading 50 feet wide or more.
While the roots don’t grow deep, they do grow fast, keeping pace with the rapid vertical growth. It’s not uncommon for the roots to lengthen 3-5 feet per year. They are opportunistic roots that quickly colonize the nutrient-rich top layers of soil.
The extensive surface roots efficiently absorb moisture and nutrients to support the tree’s demanding growth habit However, the shallow roots also make the trees unstable and prone to uprooting in high winds once the soil becomes saturated
Advantages of the Shallow Roots
The shallow root system of the Leyland cypress offers some advantages:
-
Rapid growth – By concentrating in the fertile topsoil, the roots can maximize moisture and nutrient uptake for fast growth.
-
Lack of invasiveness – The roots do not damage pipes, foundations, or other infrastructure. The horizontal growth habit keeps them near the surface.
-
Easy to remove – The shallow roots make it simpler to remove Leyland cypress trees compared to deep-rooted trees.
-
Drought tolerance – The extensive surface roots can capture moisture from light rains and dew that would elude deep roots.
Disadvantages of the Shallow Roots
However, the shallow roots also come with some drawbacks:
-
Unstable trees – The trees are susceptible to uprooting in saturated soil, especially when they achieve significant height.
-
Nutrient depletion – The greedy surface roots can rob nutrients and moisture from nearby plants.
-
Short lifespan – Few Leyland cypress trees survive more than 15-20 years before declining. The rapid growth outstrips root development.
-
Vulnerability to drought – While the shallow roots aid short-term drought tolerance, they cannot access deeper reserves of moisture.
Ideal Growing Conditions
To achieve maximal growth of the Leyland cypress root system:
-
Plant in nutrient-rich loam or sandy loam soils to facilitate rapid root development. Avoid very sandy or clay soils.
-
Ensure the soil is well-drained. Standing water will stunt root growth.
-
Give trees ample space, at least 15-20 feet between specimens. Overcrowding leads to root competition.
-
Water regularly when rainfall is inadequate, especially during active growth periods.
-
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer annually to provide nutrients.
-
Prune judiciously to thin overly dense growth that can limit air circulation to roots.
Maintaining Healthy Roots
A few tips for keeping Leyland cypress roots in good shape:
-
Mulch annually with 2-3 inches of pine bark or wood chips to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Don’t mulch deeply right against the trunk.
-
Aerate compacted soil around the root zone to improve drainage and oxygen circulation to the roots.
-
Monitor for pests and diseases, such as Phytophthora root rot, that can damage the sensitive roots.
-
Water during drought, aiming to moisten the top 12 inches of soil.
-
Fertilize lightly in early spring and avoid over-fertilization that can burn delicate roots.
The Leyland cypress root system is expansive but shallow, with most roots residing in the top foot or two of soil. These fast-growing opportunistic roots support the tree’s legendary growth rate but also introduce some vulnerabilities. With proper siting, spacing, care and maintenance, Leyland cypress trees can achieve their full potential in the landscape. But gardeners should weigh the benefits and drawbacks before planting.
Leyland Cypress Trees At a Glance
To help you decide if Leyland cypress trees will work for your yard, we put together a quick list of facts about this plant:
- Fast growing: Leyland cypress trees are among the fastest-growing evergreens, capable of gaining up to 3–4 feet in height per year under optimal conditions. This can make these trees a favorite for homeowners or gardeners trying to quickly establish a mature landscape.
- Low maintenance: These trees require minimal upkeep once established, needing only occasional pruning to maintain shape and spacing. Plus, they’re generally resistant to pests and diseases when cared for properly.
- Privacy screens: With their dense, towering growth habit and feathery foliage, Leyland cypresses form a thick, evergreen wall that effectively blocks out noise, wind, and unwanted views.
- Green year-round: As evergreens, Leyland cypress trees maintain their rich green color throughout all seasons, providing continuous visual appeal and coverage no matter the time of year.
- Salt-tolerant: Leyland cypress trees can tolerate moderate levels of salt, making them suitable for coastal areas or roadsides where exposure from sea spray or de-icing materials may pose a concern.
- Shallow roots: While their roots are not invasive, Leyland cypresses develop shallow root systems that can become stressed in drought or easily uprooted in high winds. For this reason, it’s important to plant these trees with enough space and provide consistent watering during dry periods.
How To Plant Leyland Cypress Trees
The best time to plant your tree is during its dormancy in mid-fall. Plant your Leyland cypress tree in an area with well-drained soil that receives full sunlight to partial shade. Don’t plant your tree directly on the property line, because this fast-growing, massive tree can grow onto your neighbor’s property.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball. You want to plant the tree so that is even with the surrounding soil. Gently tease the roots of the tree before you place it in the hole to encourage the roots to grow outward. Backfill the hole with the soil you dug out, and create a ring of mulch around the tree, not letting it touch the trunk. Water your tree every day for one week, then water every other day. By the third week, you can water as needed.
- If you plant multiple Leyland cypress trees, space them out by 6–10 feet apart.
How to grow Leyland Cypress with a detailed description
0