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| Japanese cryptomerias are an excellent alternative to Leyland cypress trees. They have few issues with pests and will thrive with minimal maintenance if planted in the proper site. Photograph by Timothy Daly, UGA Extension Gwinnett |
Throughout our area, Leyland cypress trees are everywhere. Homeowners
plant them to screen out unwanted views or for privacy. These trees have the
advantage of being attractive and growing rather rapidly. They have the
potential to grow up to 60 feet tall and have a 15 to 20-foot spread. Extension office receives many calls from
homeowners with issues about their Leyland cypress trees declining and
dying. Frequently, these trees are
planted too close together which reduces the sunlight the plants receive, thus
causing them to decline. Leyland cypress trees also tend to be vulnerable to
premature death and pest problems such as fungal canker diseases and root rot.
The only solution in most cases is to remove the tree. However, several
alternative plants can be used that are less problematic.
If you
desire a conifer plant that resembles the Leyland cypress, consider planting
arborvitaes and Japanese cryptomerias. Several varieties of arborvitaes are
available, but one of the hardiest is ‘Green Giant’. It can grow to 30 feet in
height and has a width of 15 to 20 feet. The leaves are light green and
needle-like with the younger ones being feathery and the older ones more
scale-like. It requires moist, fertile and well-drained soil, and full sun. Japanese
cryptomerias have a pyramidal shape and become more narrow shaped and oval as
they mature. They can grow up to 50 feet high and over 20 wide, but their rate
of growth is slow. The foliage turns bronze in the winter. They require full
sun and loose soil that has proper drainage. And, while they can tolerate dry
spells, they do need occasional watering during dry spells.
Many
broadleaf evergreens have similar qualities to the Leyland cypress. The
Southern magnolia creates a dense screen. The ‘Little Gem’ variety has a short,
compact, upright growth. The tree is excellent for sites that need a smaller
screen. One drawback is that the tree continually sheds leaves throughout the
season, so it should be planted at sites where the falling leaves will not be
troublesome. For wet sites, the sweetbay magnolia is a good choice. It has
dense, evergreen foliage. The upper part of the leaf is green, and the
underside is a green to white color.
Several
species of hollies have many of the attributes of Leyland cypress trees. Foster
hollies and Savannah hollies both have dense foliage, a pyramidal growth habit,
and can reach a height of 20 feet or more. The ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ holly has a
more compact growth habit but still has an excellent ability for screening.
Some
smaller growing plants can provide excellent screens as well. Wax myrtles,
which are native to South Georgia, thrive in hot, dry conditions and poor soil,
but they need full sun. The leaves and stems are fragrant. Other choices
include cleyera, loropetalums, camellias, and several species of viburnums.
Though
Leyland cypress trees are popular and attractive in the landscape, using a
different variety of plant with minimal difficulties will provide an
alternative to the Leyland cypress.
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| Several hollies, including the Nellie R. Stevens holly, in picture above, can functions as screens and are better suited to the home landscape than Leyland Cypress. Photograph by Timothy Daly, UGA Extension Gwinnett |
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