Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Leyland Cypress

Member Donna writes~ I hope you can help me with this. I have planted Leyland spruce trees in my yard and I was wondering if I can take cuttings from them and grow my own. 2nd, If I put this type of tree in a container, one that is larger than what it came in, could it survive for about 2 years? And for my 3rd small question, could I plant a Leyland or some other type of bush, one that will be green or so winter or summer here in middle Alabama, around 2 grown Water Oaks? Any help that you could give would help so very much.

A. I do not know this tree and finally found out it is a cypress, grown commonly for Christmas trees in large pots. I have some info for you:

Leyland Cypress:
The most exciting thing to happen in the short history of the southern Christmas tree industry is the introduction of the Leyland Cypress. In the 1800's numerous tree species from all over the world were planted in an arboretum at Leighton Hall estate in England (Welshpool, Wales).

The Leyland Cypress is an excellent choice for a living Christmas tree which should provide beauty for years to come. Even though the Leyland Cypress does have the "Cypress" name, it is similar to a juniper bush than a Bald Cypress
tree. It should be planted in a full sun location and will require about the same care a juniper does -- very little! Plant it as soon after the Christmas holidays as you can so it can establish a root system before spring growth begins.

DO NOT let the root ball dry during its stay in the house. Dead trees do not grow well even if they are planted outside.

Leyland Cypress is hardy to Zone 6. It is a pyramidal tree, to 30-40 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide which makes it good for tall screen. It is graceful, somewhat open habit of growth. Give ample room, to allow for symmetry of growth. It grows well in a variety of soils, but prefers good drainage. It has few, if any, serious pest problems. It should be a good choice for you.

Cuttings are difficult to do at home. I recommend buying new trees. It is not a common practice and success is varied. The plant probably will be fine in a large pot for another two years, but not indefinitely. They would grow fine near the oaks as long as they have the adequate sunlight described above.

Jennifer writes~
We have a 3 year old Leyland Cypress. It has grown into a huge tree. All of a sudden, it has turned brown on one side. We haven't had too much rain or a drought this year and we haven't done anything different to the tree. It has always been beautiful and has tripled it's size since we planted it. My husband has tried watering it and fertilizing it and it is still dying. Please tell us what we should do to save it. We love our tree and don't want it to die!

A. I suspect that you have either a canker disease, needle blight or dieback. Here are several websites to read about these problems which may very well be causing that browning on one side. Immediate action should be taken. Also, if you can, take a sample in a plastic bag to your local Agriculture Department and have a worker biopsy it for you.

http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/publications/anr/anr-1160/pdf/ anr-1160.pdf

www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Ornamental/odin17/od17.htm

www.ag.auburn.edu/landscape/canker

forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tips/msg071132501819.html

csf.colorado.edu/archive/2000/garden/mail2.html

www.ces.uga.edu/agriculture/plantpath/docs/OrnTree/LCBotCnk.html

www.csupomona.edu/~froth/hor427/cankers.html

www.bugwood.caes.uga.edu/christmas/97014.html