Leyland Cypress Vs. White Cedar
The Leyland cypress and the white cedar are both members of the Cupressaceae, or Cypress, family. Despite the common family background, there are many differences in these two trees, including their habitat. Leyland cypress is found in nearly all of the coastal states as well as much of the southern half of the country, whereas the white cedar is mostly found in Maine and the states bordering the Great Lakes.
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Size
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Leyland cypress normally grows an average of 35 to 50 feet in height, with a crown spread ranging from 15 to 25 feet; however, a Leyland cypress king may reach heights of as much as 70 to 100 feet and be up to 20 feet wide at the base. Some white cedar trees will reach a height of 80 feet with a diameter of 6 feet, however these trees are most commonly between 40 and 50 feet in height with a 2- or 3-foot diameter.
Uses
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Primarily used for landscaping, where it may be utilized as a screen or trimmed into a hedge, the Leyland cypress is considered an ornamental tree, and is often used as a Christmas tree. White cedar, on the other hand, has many uses, some of which include lumber, shingles, paneling, canoes and other boats, as well as producing oil that may be made into soft soaps, perfumes and disinfectants.
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Features
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Three or even four-foot growth per year is a trait of the Leyland cypress when it is young, even with soil that is poor. Left alone, a pyramid or oval shape will form naturally; however, it may be pruned severely with no damage to the tree, if you choose to create a hedge with it. The foliage, which is feathery, soft and fine, will have a soft green color that turns a darker bluish-green as the tree matures. The shape of the white cedar ranges from broad, pyramid types to narrow cone types, with sharply pointed, scaly leaves that are light green on the bottoms and bright green on top.
Culture
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Growing best with full sun, the Leyland cypress will tolerate partial shade and is not fussy about the types of soil it is in; however, moist, fertile soil suits it best. Highly drought tolerant in addition to being able to cope with salty soil and air conditions, this tree is a good choice in coastal regions. White cedars do best with slightly alkaline or neutral soils in nature, however cultivated species do well in a wide soil variety. Commercially, most white cedar stands are found in swampy areas.
Considerations
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Fast growing Leyland cypress needs to be trimmed regularly to work in most home landscapes and is normally not suitable for smaller landscaping areas. It is best used in areas large enough to allow its natural development. White cedar, on the other hand, is much slower growing but has shallow roots are often only moss-covered, which makes them fairly easily uprooted in strong wind. Thin bark with high oil content also makes cedars easily damaged or killed by fire.
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