X CUPRESSOCYPARIS LEYLANDII is the quintessential overplanted screening
evergreen. Having said that, when used in the right conditions, it can be a
marvelous tree. IMHO, the 'right conditions' a large growing area...
sufficient headroom (no overhead wires, certainly no canopy trees above)...
sufficient room for girth of the tree over time. Leyland Cypress will
*easily* make 60 feet over time. They can grow to over 100 in optimum
growing conditions. That's a big tree!

If planted about 10' apart on center, you will get a very nice wall o'
foliage in just a few years time. They will grow 3' per year or more when
young-- that fast top growth can lead to a certain instability in high winds
as the foliage mass outstrips the anchoring root system in windy conditions.

Dirr writes that certain pests and diseases have surfaced since the use of
this tree exploded exponentially: "Bagworms are a universal problem and
Leyland Cypress attracts its share; recognition of the problem and
immediate removal of the bags defuse the situation. The most significant
problems are fungal and cankers caused by SEIRIDIUM CARDINALE, S.
UNICORNE, and S. CUPRESSI have been identified. In North Carolina, S.
UNICORNE has caused canker and twig dieback. Symptoms include gray
discoloration at point of infection, resin oozing from cracks in the bark,
dark brown to purplish patches on the bark, sunken cankers with raised
margins, and yellow to brown discoloration of the foliage above the canker."

An excellent alternative to this tree is Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'. It has
slightly-less fast growth habit and will ultimately make about 30-40'.

Dave

Dieback caused by BOTRYOSPHAERIA DOTHIDEA is observed on trees
within the first several years in the landscape.
"Lecher9000" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I've decided on Leyland Cypress as a tall "living fence"
privacy
screen. I've noticed there are about 3 main varieties : green, blue, and
yellow. Looks to me like the blue and green varieties are the most dense
and
best at screening completely.

Another concern is whether I can trust the picture of the mature tree
that
is attached to it, regarding how full the tree gets (having no holes to
see
through).

Anyone have any advice / experiences with their Leyland Cypress
to
relate ?

Thanks,

L