Leyland Cypress
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Very Fast (3-4 ft/year)
- Full Sun
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
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About Leyland Cypress
Leyland Cypress (x Hesperotropsis leylandii) has been the classic fast privacy tree across the Atlanta metro for decades, capable of 3 to 4 feet of growth per year and reaching 40 to 60 feet at maturity with soft, blue-green, feathery foliage. It remains an excellent choice for large properties that need a tall, fast screen and have the 15-20 feet of width to accommodate it. The tradeoff homeowners should know before planting: Leyland Cypress is more susceptible than Green Giant Arborvitae to Seiridium and Botryosphaeria canker, both of which are more common in Georgia's humid, high-density plantings, and it can suffer in prolonged drought or poorly drained clay. We still recommend it for customers who specifically want its softer texture and taller ceiling, planted with good air circulation, full sun, and spacing that reduces disease pressure. Its rapid growth means a young screen can reach usable privacy height in 3 to 5 years, faster than almost any broadleaf evergreen.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 40-60 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 15-20 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate until established, then drought tolerant |
| Bloom Season | N/A (evergreen conifer) |
| Growth Rate | Very Fast (3-4 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Yes |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Give Leyland Cypress full sun and excellent drainage; in Gwinnett clay, plant on a slight mound and avoid low, wet spots where canker takes hold. Space trees 8-10 feet apart to maintain airflow and reduce disease pressure, wider than you would space Green Giant Arborvitae. Water deeply during the first two summers and avoid overhead irrigation that keeps foliage wet, which encourages fungal issues in our humid climate.
Fast Facts
- Mature height: 40-60 ft, width 15-20 ft — needs a large lot
- Very fast growth: 3-4 ft per year
- More susceptible to canker disease than Green Giant Arborvitae
- Full sun and good drainage reduce disease risk
- Deer resistant, soft blue-green feathery foliage
- Recommended spacing: 8-10 ft apart for airflow
Pairs Well With
Leyland Cypress FAQs
Why do Leyland Cypress trees die suddenly?
Leyland Cypress often dies from Seiridium or Botryosphaeria canker, fungal diseases that thrive in crowded plantings with poor air circulation and stressed, drought-weakened trees. In Georgia's humid summers, planting too closely together or in poorly drained clay is the most common cause of sudden decline.
How far apart should Leyland Cypress be planted?
Space Leyland Cypress 8 to 10 feet apart for a privacy screen to allow adequate air circulation, which significantly reduces canker disease risk. Planting closer together may look fuller sooner but increases the chance of losing trees to fungal disease within 5-10 years.
Is Leyland Cypress a good choice for Georgia yards?
Leyland Cypress works well on large Georgia properties with full sun and good drainage, offering very fast growth to 40-60 feet. For smaller lots or heavier clay with drainage concerns, Green Giant Arborvitae is generally a more disease-resistant alternative.