Leyland Cypress

X Cupressocyparis leylandii (A.B. Jacks. & Dallim.) Dallim.

koo-PRESS-oh-SIGH-per-us  lay-LAND-ee-eye

Conifers - Cupressaceae

Explanation of name:  The X before the name indicates that Cupressocyparis is a hybrid genus.  See details below. From Wikepedia, specific epithet for: C.J. Leyland, a sea captain, who grew some of the first hybrids on his property, Haggerston Castle, in Northumbria, in 1888.

Natural range: An un-natural hybrid (1888) between Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Alaska Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis).

Recognition:  Pyramd- or oval-shaped, fine-textured, eventually large (to 50’(100’)), dense conifer with slightly blue hue. Branches a little pendulous, flattened, the needles scalelike, triangular  Cones about ½” in diameter or smaller.

Landscape uses: South Florida is at (beyond) the southern edge of the typical range for this very fast-growing (reportedly to 4’/year in the Carolinas) conifer, which is occasionally encountered in South Florida, sometimes as a living Christmas Tree planted outside post-holidays.  Leylend Cypress represents a trade-off between rapid growth and reportedly weka-rooted tendency to topple and short lifespan.  Tolerates heavy pruning, but the tree is best when not disfigured.

Quote from Clemson Home and Garden Information sheet HGIC1013:

“CULTIVARS

·         ‘Castlewellan’- This is a somewhat compact form. It has gold-tipped foliage, which is more pronounced in fall, winter and spring.

·         ‘Leighton Green’- This tree is tall and columnar, with dense branching and dark green foliage.

·         ‘Haggerston Gray’ - This tree has irregular lateral branches with sage green foliage.

·         ‘Naylor’s Blue’ - This columnar form is more loosely branched and open than most. The foliage is blue-gray. It may be slower growing.

·         ‘Silver Dust’ - This wide-spreading form has blue-green foliage marked with variegation.

·         ‘Greenspire’ - This narrow, columnar form has very dense, rich green foliage. “

Internet sources: http://forestry.about.com/od/conifers/p/leyland.htm

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC2004.htm

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1013.htm

http://www.bugwood.org/christmas/leylandfact.html

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/DENDROLOGY/SYLLABUS/factsheet.cfm?ID=281