x Hesperotropsis leylandii
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Callitropsis × leylandii
- Cupressus × leylandii
- × Cuprocyparis leylandii
- × Neocupropsis leylandii
- x Cupressocyparis leylandii
- Description
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This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column or this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.
The Leyland cypress is a hybrid, fast-growing, upright, needled evergreen tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The genus is named after Christopher Leyland, on whose property in England two North American species of conifers, Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) and Nootka cypress (Callitropsis nootkatensis), accidentally cross-pollinated.
This tree thrives in a variety of soil types and sites. In the early years, it can grow up to 3 feet per year, and it has been known to reach 50 feet in height in 15 years. Because the roots are relatively shallow, it is poorly adapted to areas with hot summers. Large specimens tend to topple over. Typically, these trees live 20 to 50 years, depending on the environment. They can be propagated from stem cuttings. Any viable seed may not be true to the mother plant.
The tree has scaly reddish-brown bark and attractive sprays of blue-green needles. The branches grow upright and do not droop. This strong structure is resistant to breakage. It also takes well to severe pruning, recovering well from severe topping. With a symmetrical canopy and smooth outline, multiple specimens will have identical crown forms. The tree is severely pest- and disease-prone and must be pruned regularly to maintain a tidy appearance.
In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina, it is sometimes grown to be sold as Christmas trees.
Quick ID
- Elongated spray
- Concolorous spray
- Branches and primary brackets have spiral twist
- Leaves intermediate to scale-like
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leyland cypress is prone to many treatable and untreatable problems. Bagworm is a serious issue; bagworms can defoliate an entire tree in a matter of a few weeks. It is also susceptible to canker and root rot, specifically Armillaria and Phytophthora root rots, and Seiridium and Botryosphaeria canker. Canker typically affects a tree following a period of drought. Both the root rots and cankers are incurable. Foliage can cause skin irritation. Wear gloves when handling. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases
VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Jeff Owen, Area Extension Forestry Specialist for NC State Extension
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Eyes'
- 'Castlewellan'
More compact form with gold-tipped leaves. - 'Emerald Isle'
Bright green foliage. - 'Golconda'
Year round yellow-gold foliage. - 'Gold Nugget'
Bright golden yellow foliage, compact form. - 'Gold Rider'
Branchlets are yellow with green tips in winter, deeper yellow with dark yellow margins n summer. - 'Green Spire'
Densely narrow columnar with rich green needles. - 'Haggerston Grey'
More open habit with blue-green to grey-green foliage. - 'Irish Mint'
Lighter green foliage, slower growing, superior root system. - 'Jubilee'
Yellow sprays. - 'Leighton Green'
Tall, columnar with a central leader and rich green foliage. - 'Naylor's Blue'
Most open variety, loosely branched. Blue-reen foliage.
'Reco'
- 'Robinson's Gold'
Bright gold-yellow to lemon-green foliage. - 'Silver Dust'
Wide-spreading with blue-green foliage with white variegations. - 'Star Wars'
Creamy-yellow sprays.
Short form - 'Blue Eyes'
- 'Blue Eyes', 'Castlewellan', 'Emerald Isle', 'Golconda', 'Gold Nugget', 'Gold Rider', 'Green Spire', 'Haggerston Grey', 'Irish Mint', 'Jubilee', 'Leighton Green', 'Naylor's Blue', 'Reco', 'Robinson's Gold', 'Silver Dust', 'Star Wars'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Eyes'
- 'Castlewellan'
More compact form with gold-tipped leaves. - 'Emerald Isle'
Bright green foliage. - 'Golconda'
Year round yellow-gold foliage. - 'Gold Nugget'
Bright golden yellow foliage, compact form. - 'Gold Rider'
Branchlets are yellow with green tips in winter, deeper yellow with dark yellow margins n summer. - 'Green Spire'
Densely narrow columnar with rich green needles. - 'Haggerston Grey'
More open habit with blue-green to grey-green foliage. - 'Irish Mint'
Lighter green foliage, slower growing, superior root system. - 'Jubilee'
Yellow sprays. - 'Leighton Green'
Tall, columnar with a central leader and rich green foliage. - 'Naylor's Blue'
Most open variety, loosely branched. Blue-reen foliage.
'Reco'
- 'Robinson's Gold'
Bright gold-yellow to lemon-green foliage. - 'Silver Dust'
Wide-spreading with blue-green foliage with white variegations. - 'Star Wars'
Creamy-yellow sprays.
Short form - 'Blue Eyes'
- 'Blue Eyes', 'Castlewellan', 'Emerald Isle', 'Golconda', 'Gold Nugget', 'Gold Rider', 'Green Spire', 'Haggerston Grey', 'Irish Mint', 'Jubilee', 'Leighton Green', 'Naylor's Blue', 'Reco', 'Robinson's Gold', 'Silver Dust', 'Star Wars'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- x Hesperotropsis
- Species:
- leylandii
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- England
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides winter cover for song and game birds.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Fragrance
- Pieces Used in Games
- Screening
- Textural
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wind Break
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought; many soils
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Columnar
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- It Features dark brown fruiting cones (to 3/4” across), each with 8 scales.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- Non-flowering.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The foliage are scale leaves up to 2" long, elongated spray, bluish-green, same color top and bottom. The foliage is composed of soft. pointed leaves on flattened branchlets. They are a soft green when young and will mature to a dark blue-green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Scaly reddish-brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Salt
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
