Leyland cypress for privacy?

A local seller has a great deal on Leyland Cypress plants. I want to use them, or something, to create a natural privacy barrier along the street in my front yard.

I've heard that Leyland trees can grow very large, which won't work.. but I also seem to remember hearing that if you plant them close together they won't grow very tall. What's the scoop? Is there a better evergreen to look for?

I have seen very tall leland cypress planted very close together and so I think in the right spot environmentally - the shrubs will grow tall.

you may want to look at Chindo viburnum - we are so pleased with the three we got. Very fast growing. Can take a variety of growing conditions. Ours compete with the woods right behind (like two feet of massive trees). In the winter the leaves get a little bronz-y and then come spring the green returns.

If you plant them close together it's true that they won't grow very tall... because they compete with each other until they kill each other off, or they're weakened enough that the canker gets them, or the bagworms. Have I made my point :)

On a more positive note, there are tons of other plants out there for screening. The question is, how tall and wide do you want/need the plants to grow? There is actually a Leyland called 'Emerald Isle' that only grows 25' tall and 8' wide, not that I'm endorsing it... There are shorter alternatives to Green Giant Western Red Cedar (like 'Steeplechase' and 'Spring Grove'). There's Chindo Viburnum (a personal favorite). I'll keep going after you provide the specs.

Just remember, a great deal isn't always a great deal. Finding the right plant for your yard will be worth the wait and the cost.

Just to let you know that here in the UK, there is a lot of groups trying to have the tall fast growing Hedging Leylandii banned, there is so much heartache brought to the attention of local councils, Government departments etc, etc with the speices that a lot of people plant it for a quick screen or to block out passing traffic etc that within a few years it has reached the dizzy heights of 15 / 20 ft, most people dont realise that those lovely little hedging plants turn into monsters IF not cut back every year once they reach the required hight, there are people next door who have to have electric lights on all day just to be safe inside there once bright beautiful homes, there is now a law here that states the hight these hedges can be grown, grown in the right place, these trees are magnificent, however, in the wrong place, they are a city/town dwellers nightmare, also IF you cut into the woody part of the branches when you prune or cut, these trees dont regrow on old wood and look hellish with large bare patches where nice lush green foliage should be. Please be careful of how much Privacy you require, once some hedges have been growing for a few years, they look completely different so I would suggest you have a walk around your neighbourhood to see what grows, take pictures or ask the names, then go check out if this is the right plant for you, some hedges only need cut once a year where as others need a few trims each year, so research, take your time and envisage what the hedge line will look like in a few years time, do you want to plant in font of hedge for colour, do you want to cause lots of shade, do you want evergreen, leaf colour, berries, a hedge is like furnishing inside your home, you want to know it will still be a good investment in years to come without destroying next doors OR even distant vistas, best of luck anyway, WeeNel.

You may want to look for trees that can be trimmed to form a hedge. I have a long hedge row of Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, which will grow to 30 feet, but can be trimmed.