Often just ‘Leylandii’, this tree is synonymous with ill-conceived suburban hedging in Britain and Ireland, yet is impressively hardy. The hybrid first arose naturally in a pinetum at Leighton Hall near Welshpool, Wales, where Monterey and Nootka Cypress grew close together; differing seedlings were noticed in 1888. Christopher Leyland (1849-1926) took trees to Haggerston Hall, Northumberland, in 1891. Specimens reached Kew in 1926, and commercial production began in 1930.

Introduced (does not exist as wild native).

Sterile intergeneric hybrid. Propagated by taking semi-hardwood cuttings from young growth.

Moderately tall (30m), columnar, with very dense foliage. Bark grey-brown, ridged and stringy. Leaves scale-like, mostly in rounded sprays, only flattened at the tips, with pointed scales of similar colour on both surfaces (no white bands beneath). Flowers are often absent, though some cultivars produce sterile globular cones, 2cm, green to brown.

Grows in almost any soil and location, from compacted urban ground to frost hollows and salt-laden coasts. Hedges establish quickly and are fine provided the manager remembers these are large, vigorous trees that grow tall if unchecked. Trim frequently, cutting only into soft green growth during the growing season, as cuts into woody sections will not regrow.

It casts a dense shade, severely impacting ground flora. Birds in particular value this tree for shelter and nesting.

None.

Ornamental, especially for windbreaks and hedging. Countless cultivars exist, many named for the hybrid’s origins: ‘Leighton Green’ (bright green flat sprays, columnar, coning), ‘Naylor’s Blue’ (blue-green rounded foliage, open untidy form) and ‘Haggerston Grey’ (blue-green flattened foliage, dense columnar). Golden-foliaged forms include ‘Castlewellan Gold’, ‘Golconda’ and ‘Robinson’s Gold’.