Topic: Leylandii

[tim]

Much has been bandied around about the big L - the Guardian today shows a 40' hedge and talks about control. We have two 30-50' x 15' hedges which we keep under control with 2 neighbours' agreement.

But another use is to selectively block an intrusive feature. After 40+ years overlooking a pasture, we found we were window to window with a new property on that land. OK - yards away - for which we are constantly grateful -  but still unwelcome. So, in April 2001 we put in 3 x 10' clipped Leylandii. Last week we took 2' off the tops and 8-12" off the sides. Thought you might like to see how effective they are. ( hey, Dan, I do think it worked?). They are now 17'. - Tim

[Palustris]

Right tree in the right place, makes all the difference. This new tall hedge thingy could provide some real income for the legal brigade. Define 'hedge' for a start.
Like the pic. I sent one to Dan for showing, but I must have done it wrong.

[tim]

- the 2nd pic exaggerates the size, of course - different focal length - but they've still made 9' in 2.5 years! And now shield our first floor bathroom window - which their day room looked into - as well as our ground floor rooms.

We did also prune last year, of course.  Gives a good idea of the threat?

Sorry about your pic, Eric  - it's SO frustrating, isn't it! - Tim

[legless]

i saw a leyllandi grown as a specimen tree in an arboretum a few years ago and they make really beautiful trees, i like them in hedges of a decent size (like yours tim) but when people keep them at 5' it sort of upsets me as they are lovely trees!

i live in a northern terrace where my concreted yard backs onto a lane so no hedge problems for me!

[Dusty]

Tim - your trees are perfect for blocking out the windows and giving you that little bit more privacy.   I am doing that with a couple of trees in my garden at the moment.  Non L but a Maple and an Amalanchier.  My neighbours do not bother me but it would prefer to see trees rather than their windows and walls.

My auntie has just moved house from where she planted giant redwood about 30 years ago.  They are HUGE.  When we went to visit her once I could not remember the way - silly all I had to do was look up and there were these trees way up into the skyline - we just followed the trees to her house.    She always kept them trimmed from the public path so they did not bother anyone but - the height you would not believe and they are really only babies a the moment.

[tim]

- our Amelanchier has always been a very spindly tree - and , of course, drops its leaves early.  The Norway Maple, on the other hand, is great.

We find that our thorns - crataegus Carrierei - give good growth, and good cover because they hold their leaves through November. And spectacular fruit. - Tim