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Tree · Cupressaceae family

Leyland cypress

× Cuprocyparis leylandii

Full sun to part shade in a garden 22 ft 11⅝ in–29 ft 6⅜ in × 9 ft 10⅛ in–14 ft 9⅛ in to −73 °F

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
in a garden after 10 years22 ft 11⅝ in–29 ft 6⅜ in
in the wild up to 82 ft
spacing 13 ft 1½ in
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
averageloamyclaysandy

Watering

at the base, not on the leavesless when it rains

Frost

−73 °F
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (69 in).

3 ft 3⅜ in6 ft 6¾ in9 ft 10⅛ in13 ft 1½ in16 ft 4⅞ in19 ft 8¼ in22 ft 11⅝ in26 ft 3 in29 ft 6⅜ in32.8 ft36.1 ft39.4 ft42.7 ft45.9 ft49.2 ft52.5 ft55.8 ft59.1 ft62.3 ft65.6 ft68.9 ft72.2 ft75.5 ft78.7 ft82 ft49.2 ft–82 ftspread 13 ft 1½ in–15 ft 1⅛ in
49.2 ft–82 ft× spread 13 ft 1½ in–15 ft 1⅛ in

Plant 13 ft 1½ in apart.

Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October; root-balled: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 0.18 oz/sq ft a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

What you will see

Branches or tips turn yellow and brown. Sunken reddish cankers with resin ooze, the wood beneath is reddish-brown. The whole plant may gradually die.

The source says: Leyland cypress is especially susceptible.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant in drought and stress; allow sufficient spacing and good drainage.
    • Disinfect tools; spores spread on tools, by water and wind, and on planting material.
    • Choose less susceptible species.
  2. By hand all year, in dry weatherCut back affected branches to healthy wood and disinfect the cuts. Fungicides are generally ineffective.
Cypress cankerdiseaseHigh risk

What you will see

Branches or tips turn yellow and brown. Sunken reddish cankers with resin ooze, the wood beneath is reddish-brown. The whole plant may gradually die.

The source says: Leyland cypress is especially susceptible.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant in drought and stress; allow sufficient spacing and good drainage.
    • Disinfect tools; spores spread on tools, by water and wind, and on planting material.
    • Choose less susceptible species.
  2. By hand all year, in dry weatherCut back affected branches to healthy wood and disinfect the cuts. Fungicides are generally ineffective.
More about this problem
Honey fungus

Honey fungus

Armillaria
High riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in fall.

The source says: it is among the plants particularly susceptible to honey fungus.

When to look

Summer – fall

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
  2. By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 17¾ in deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.
Honey fungusdisease · summer – fallHigh risk

What you will see

Dieback of branches or the whole plant, smaller pale leaves. Under the bark at the root collar, white spongy tissue with a mushroom smell. Honey-coloured clusters of toadstools in fall.

The source says: it is among the plants particularly susceptible to honey fungus.

When to look

Summer – fall

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Choose the least susceptible species; risky ground after old trees have been felled.
  2. By hand all yearOnce confirmed, dig up and destroy affected roots and stumps; sink a 17¾ in deep plastic barrier into the soil. There is no chemical control for gardeners.
More about this problem

Phytophthora root rot

Low riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Dieback of branches without cankers, mainly on young plants in wet, poorly drained soil.

The source says: Leyland cypress is moderately resistant to it.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Plant in free-draining soil; avoid waterlogging.
    • Keep watering right.
  2. By hand spring – summerImprove drainage; remove heavily affected plants.
Phytophthora root rotdiseaseLow risk

What you will see

Dieback of branches without cankers, mainly on young plants in wet, poorly drained soil.

The source says: Leyland cypress is moderately resistant to it.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Plant in free-draining soil; avoid waterlogging.
    • Keep watering right.
  2. By hand spring – summerImprove drainage; remove heavily affected plants.
More about this problem
Sources (4)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does Leyland cypress tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does Leyland cypress need?

At maturity 13 ft 1½ in–15 ft 1⅛ in wide and 49.2 ft–82 ft tall; recommended spacing 13 ft 1½ in.

Cypress canker — what can you do?

Do not plant in drought and stress; allow sufficient spacing and good drainage. Cut back affected branches to healthy wood and disinfect the cuts. Fungicides are generally ineffective.

Phytophthora root rot — what can you do?

Plant in free-draining soil; avoid waterlogging. Improve drainage; remove heavily affected plants.

Sources (13) Checked 24 October 2026

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