Leyland cypress

Leyland cypress
Leyland cypress foliage and cone
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Cupressales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Cupressus
Species:
C. × leylandii
Binomial name
Cupressus × leylandii
Synonyms
  • ×Cuprocyparis leylandii (A. B. Jacks. & Dallim.) Farjon
  • ×Cupressocyparis leylandii (A. B. Jacks. & Dallim.) Dallim.
  • Callitropsis × leylandii (A. B. Jacks. & Dallim.) D.P. Little
  • ×Hesperotropsis leylandii (A. B. Jacks. & Dallim.) Garland & Gerry Moore

The Leyland cypress, Cupressus × leylandii, × Cuprocyparis leylandii or × Cupressocyparis leylandii, often referred to simply as leylandii, is a fast-growing coniferous evergreen tree much used in horticulture, primarily for hedges and screens. Even on sites of relatively poor culture, plants have been known to grow to heights of 15 metres (49 ft) in 16 years. Their rapid, thick growth means they are sometimes used to achieve privacy, but such use can result in disputes with neighbours whose own property becomes overshadowed. The tree is a hybrid of Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Nootka cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis). It is almost always sterile, and is propagated mainly by cuttings.