How to Propagate Your Leyland Cypress

Propagate Leyland cypress trees with cuttings taken from mid-July through the winter months.

The Leyland cypress is an evergreen tree species that grows in a pyramid form up to 50 feet in height. The tree grows quickly and produces well when planted in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10. Propagate the Leyland cypress by cutting semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings from current year branch growth. Collect semi-hardwood cuttings from mid-July though early fall or hardwood cuttings once the tree goes into the dormant stage in winter.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• Water
• Propagation tray
• Coarse sand
• Peat moss
• Perlite
• Rooting hormone
• Water mister
• Clear plastic bag
• 4-inch potting containers
• Bleach

Instructions

1. Cut 6- to 8-inch sections of semi-hardwood or hardwood branches on the Leyland cypress tree. Semi-hardwood sections are new growth that is beginning to harden and turn woody. Hardwood sections are current year growth that is mature and in the dormant stage.

2. Prepare the propagation environment by mixing even quantities of peat moss, perlite and coarse sand to create a rooting soil. Moisten the soil with water to make it damp to the touch. Fill a clean propagation tray with the moist soil.

3. Remove the leaves from the lower 1/2 of semi-hardwood cuttings. Dip the bottom end of the Leyland cypress cutting in powdered hormone and tap to remove excess. Stick the end into the propagation tray to a depth of 3 inches.

4. Mist the Leyland cypress cuttings and soil with water and cover the tray with clear plastic to create a greenhouse environment. Set the tray in an area that receives bright, indirect sunlight and has a temperature of 68 to 70 degrees F.

5. Open the cover each day to refresh the air around the cuttings. Mist the cutting with water to keep the humidity high for root production.

6. Verify root growth by pulling on semi-hardwood cuttings after six weeks of growth and hardwood cuttings after six months of growth. Resistance when pulling on the stem is an indication of root growth. Poke the soil gently with your finger to determine the root length.

7. Transplant the Leyland cypress cuttings into 4-inch growing containers once the roots reach a minimum length of 1 inch. Grow the cuttings indoors in a sunny south exposure for a minimum of one year to increase the success rate when transplanted outdoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash all Leyland cypress propagation and cutting tools with a mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water. Rinse the tools well and let them dry prior to use.

References

• University of Florida: Leyland Cypress
• North Carolina State University: Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings
• Washington State University: Propagating Deciduous and Evergreen Shrubs