Fast Growing Tree for Privacy: Leyland Cypress

Evergreen trees provide endless options when you’re looking for a sturdy plant to use as a privacy screen. Let’s dig into one of those options: the Leyland cypress tree.

What is Leyland cypress? It’s a tall, dark green tree that grows fast and does a good job of blocking wind.

Below, learn how to plant and care for a Leyland cypress tree.

How fast do Leyland cypress grow?

One of the reasons why Leyland cypress makes a great privacy screen tree is because of its extremely fast growth rate. You can have a landscape border up in no time because this evergreen grows up to four feet per year.

As with all trees, Leyland cypress grows best when it’s planted in the right environment. A Leyland cypress should be planted in hardiness zones 6-10, and the tree needs at least 6 full hours of sunlight every day.

How big do Leyland cypress get?

Leyland cypress can grow to a height of 50 to 70 feet. If that seems overwhelming for your landscape, it is possible to maintain a more suitable height with thoughtful tree trimming. Learn more about how to train a young tree with pruning.

When to plant Leyland cypress

You can plant your tree in fall or spring. The most important thing is to avoid planting this evergreen in the heat of summer.

How far apart to plant Leyland cypress trees

If you’re creating a privacy screen, space your trees out about 15 feet apart. That way, their roots won’t get in the way of each other as the trees grow and establish.

How much water does Leyland cypress need?

For a newly planted Leyland cypress tree, 4 to 10 gallons of water per week is a starting point. But if you want to get a better idea of how much water your specific tree needs, the answer is in the soil.

Dig into the top 4 to 6 inches of soil and gauge the amount of moisture. Well-watered trees will have moist soil, while thirsty trees will have soil that’s dry to the touch.

Check out this blog post for more guidance on how much water to give your new tree.

Do deer eat Leyland cypress?

Yes, hungry deer will take a bite out of your Leyland cypress trees in winter. To protect your plants, read three ways to manage deer browsing.

Check out this step-by-step guide to properly planting a tree.