x cuprocyparis

( koo - press - so - SIP - air - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

This cross between Chamaecyparis nootkatensis and Cupressus macrocarpa is a fast-growing evergreen tree that reaches 60-70 feet tall and 8-15 feet wide. This hybrid is commonly called Leyland Cypress or Cupressocyparis. It needs full sun and moderate to regular water to thrive well, and can be pruned into a tall hedge 10-15 feet tall (though it needs much pruning to keep this shortened height). Branches are upright, and blue-green foliage is displayed on flattened sprays. Forms a very neat privacy hedge when sheared consistently.

x cuprocyparis Varietals

The hybrid x Cuprocyparis is derived from the genus Cupressus, which is a member of the Cypress plant family Cupressaceae. x Cuprocyparis grows best in zones 3b-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map
'Naylor's Blue'
With bluish-grey foliage.
'Castlewellan'
A narrow, erect tree with golden new growth.
'Golconda'
A variety with a pyramidal, refined habit and bright lemon-yellow new foliage.
'Gold Rider'
Golden new growth, with a pyramid-shape reaching 35 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
'Emerald Isle'
Bright green foliage on a tree reaching 20-25 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide.

Caring for and pruning x cuprocyparis Trees

The first step in caring for a Cypress tree is to plant it in the right spot in the landscape. These trees thrive in full sun exposure, and should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day for best performance and foliage color. Well-draining soil is crucial for these trees and shrubs, and sandy or loamy soils are ideal. Heavy clay soils that retain a lot of water will need to be amended before installation. Cypress trees and shrubs prefer soil to have a pH of between between 5.5 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If installing these trees as a privacy or windbreak hedge, ensure that they are planted at least 6 to 8 feet apart. Apply a thick layer of mulch (about 2-3 inches deep) around the base of the tree to suppress weed growth, maintain soil moisture, and control soil temperature fluctuations. When trees are establishing themselves in the landscape, soil will need to be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out before irrigating. Once established, they are considered to be somewhat drought tolerant landscape plants, but will still benefit from regular deep waterings during dry spells.

These trees are best pruned in late winter to early springtime, at which point they can be shaped, and any dead, diseased, or crossing branches can be removed. These trees and shrubs typically have a handsome natural shape, and do not need much in the way of pruning, unless a formal shape is desired. Apply a dressing of organic compost around the base of trees yearly in springtime to support the year's growth. These trees do not typically need any extra feedings, though if they seem to be struggling, they may benefit from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in springtime.

Propagation

Cypress trees can be propagated by using cuttings; these hybrids are typically sterile, and therefore do not produce viable seeds. To propagate your tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating x Cuprocyparis by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In February or March, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Plants that are less than 10 years old are the best for taking cuttings from. Cut one or more 6 inch semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. The cutting should have a woody base and have green growth towards the tip. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about six to ten weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the tree can be planted outdoors. This will take about three years, as they are not winter-hardy until then, and will not survive the cooler months of the year.

Problems and Pests

These trees are susceptible to developing problems with the following pests and diseases:
  • ​Seiridium Canker/Dieback
  • Phytophthora Root Rot
  • Botyrosphaeria Dieback/Canker
  • Passalora Needle Blight
  • Bagworms
  • Spruce Spider Mites
  • Scale Insects
For more information on these problems, see the following links:
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Gallery

These evergreens make great year-round privacy hedges.
Leyland Cypress provide a backdrop for other evergreens in this mixed bed.
Some varietals have golden to light green foliage.

Videos

All about growing Leyland Cypress.
America's most popular privacy hedge plant.
How to decide between a Leyland Cypress and an Arborvitae.
Learn about the five reasons why to not plant these trees.

Resources

Leyland Cypress Tree: How to Grow Leyland Cypress Trees
Leyland Cypress Tree Varieties, Diseases, and Care
How to Grow and Maintain Leyland Cypress Trees
How to Grow and Care for Leyland Cypress
Leyland Cypress Diseases, Insects & Related Pests
Wikipedia: Leyland Cypress
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 274, x Cuprocyparis
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