Leyland Cypress: Tree or Hedge? Root System, Transplanting, and Pruning

Is Leyland Cypress a Tree or a Bush?

Any plant that naturally exceeds 15 feet is a tree. Leyland cypress reaches 30–40 ft tall and 25–30 ft wide but can be maintained as a hedge with annual pruning.

Origin

Hybrid of Alaska-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) and Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) at Leighton Hall, England, 1888.

Root System

• Mostly in upper 2 feet of soil.
• Spreads to ~2× the crown width.

Transplanting an 8-Foot Tree

• Root ball: 12″ wide per inch trunk diameter, 18–24″ deep.
• Example: 3-inch trunk → 36″ wide × 18″ deep ball.
• Wrap in burlap; new hole twice ball size; backfill with potting/topsoil; mulch ≤3″.
• Best time: spring after thaw, before bud swell.

Pruning Limit

Remove no more than ⅓ of height per year. See RHS guide: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0402/pruning_leylandii.asp