Leyland Cypress Tree

Plant a Leyland Cypress Tree for rapid evergreen privacy and tall screening. Grown with care and ready for fast establishing windbreaks.

1. Planting: Leyland Cypresses grow to heights of 50 feet with a canopy that can spread out to about 25 feet. If you want a taller hedge, screen or windbreak, young trees should be spaced at least 25 feet apart. If you're growing a hedge, a space of 8 to 10 feet between trees is ideal. It will take about five to seven years for the space between the trees to fill.

To plant a Leyland Cypress, dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball and as deep as the soil in the container. Center the tree in the planting hole and back fill with soil. Create a watering ring around the perimeter of the planting hole (this helps divert water to the outer roots). Mulch with at least three inches of compost or pulverized bark.

2. Watering: Water around 2-3 times per week during the first month to help the establishment. When watering, allow it to saturate the soil around 6-8 inches down to avoid making the soil soggy. Gradually transition to watering 1-2 times per week for the first year. As your tree matures, less water will be required unless times of drought occur

3. Fertilizing: If your Leyland Cypress needs fertilizer at all, it should be fertilized with a shrub and tree fertilizer, unless a soil test shows that nutrients are low or missing. If the soil is missing or low on nutrients, use a nutrient-specific fertilizer.

4. Pruning: These trees require very little pruning. You may want to consider pruning if you are using them as a hedge; however, for the most part, they require little to no pruning.

Leyland Cypress Tree typically grows 40 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide at maturity. Its final size depends on spacing, sunlight, soil conditions, and whether you prune it as a hedge or let it grow into its natural evergreen form.

For a privacy hedge, plant Leyland Cypress Trees about 8 to 10 feet apart. If you want a taller screen, windbreak, or more spacious property border, give each tree more room so the canopy and root system can develop naturally.

When planted as a hedge, Leyland Cypress Trees can take about five to seven years to fill in the space between trees. Growth speed depends on spacing, watering, sunlight, soil conditions, and overall care.

Water Leyland Cypress Trees 2 to 3 times per week during the first month to help the roots establish. After that, gradually transition to watering 1 to 2 times per week during the first year, then water mainly during dry periods once the tree is established.

Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing evergreen tree. In the right growing conditions, it can add several feet per year once established, making it a strong choice when you want a privacy screen that fills in over time.

Leyland Cypress grows well outdoors in Zones 6–10. It performs best in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil and enough space for its mature height and width. We do not recommend this tree for Texas, where heat, humidity, and drought stress increase susceptibility to disease.

Leyland Cypress is an evergreen cypress tree often used for privacy hedges, windbreaks, and large landscape borders. It has soft, feathery green foliage and a tall, naturally symmetrical shape that provides year-round structure.