How to Care for Young Leyland Cypress Trees

Leyland cypress trees are popular Christmas trees.

Leyland cypress trees are conifers that can serve as windbreaks, privacy hedges and Christmas trees. Because all Leyland trees are propagated by rooted cuttings, a few plants may be lost during the transplanting process. Leyland cypress trees grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 10. These trees can grow up to 70 feet tall and 20 feet wide and should be pruned every year around July, according to online resource Landscape America.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Hose
• Mulch
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. 

   Leyland cypress trees like partial or full sun.

   Select a site for your young Leyland cypress that has partial or full sun and well-drained soil. Plant your tree six weeks or more before the first frost of the season for the best results (although in most designated zones, with care, it can thrive anytime of the year).

2. 

   The hole should be dug as high as the cypress tree root ball.

   Dig a hole that is as high and twice as wide as your tree's entire root ball. Spread the roots out and place the tree into the hole, with the top of the root ball about an inch above the adjoining soil. Cover the roots with dirt so there are no air pockets.

3. 

   Add water when you backfill the hole with soil.

   Backfill the hole with soil, occasionally adding water with your hose, then firmly pack the soil with your shovel . Water your transplanted plant again and spread mulch 3 feet around the plant to stop the growth of weeds and grass.

4. 

   Prune the sides and top of the young cypress tree.

   Trim the sides and a few inches below the top of the young cypress tree in July, using pruning shears (do this when the "leader" (top stem) has attained the height you want the tree to reach).

Tips & Warnings

• Young Leland cypress trees have shallow roots and can be easily uprooted.

• Spread mulch around the plant in the winter to protect the trees roots.

• For extremely hot weather or drought let young Leyland cypress trees sit in their pots in the shade until the extreme weather is over before planting them.

• Young Leland cypress trees are susceptible to canker. Destroy all diseased branches and sanitize your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol during the pruning of canker ridden trees.

References

• Landscape America: Leyland Cypress, Cupressocyparis leylandii
• Fast Growing Trees: Leyland Cypress Trees Planting Instructions