Today I met with a new client who has a lovely garden space. Sadly, I have to inject a “but” to this statement….

But…

Along the property line there is an installation of young Leyland Cypress. Each tree is about 1′-18″ from the next and about the same distance from the fence. Some are bluish, some are greenish (fortunately no goldens in there). Clearly, someone’s plan was that this would eventually become a sheared hedge. Fortunately, the topping and shearing has not yet begun. So, an opportunity remains to “do the right thing” by these trees.

Okay, I’m voicing an opinion here, and I’m open to a discussion with anyone who feels otherwise. I do not like to see trees like Leylands installed as privacy barriers in which they will be hedged.

Yes, Leylands grow fast and form privacy fast. They easily add over 3′ of growth per year, particularly when young. Easily they become 20-30′ tall trees in 10 years. Let’s keep in mind they don’t just grow up, they grow out as well, widening into spaces. Left to their own devices these trees can achieve heights of over 60′ tall and 8′-15′ wide. So, if there’s a row of them planted 1′-2′ apart from each other and from a fence, do the math, what do you think will happen?

Some of the trees will outcompete the others, so some may die. Likely, the sides shaded out by the fence will also die. Really, they won’t be very pretty. And, to create a hedge out of them, essentially the plants are being topped repetitively.

I’m hoping this client takes my advice and rethinks this area. Yes, they invested a pretty penny in installing all of these trees, but its not too late to take them out. Perhaps someone else will buy them or maybe they can be donated elsewhere. Cross your fingers readers. This is a small forest that may be doomed.