I have about 19 of these planted with 8-10 feet spacing, intended to make a living fence in this area of the yard.
They all received equal watering, same amount of fertilizing, sunlight etc. One is really brown and 2 more look like they are on their way.
I chose these trees for this area because they are supposed to like the soil conditions here, naturally and because they are drought tolerant.
Any ideas on what ails them?
What size were these when you bought them? What condition (B&B; container, what size pot and type media; bare root) were they? How wide a hole did you dig, and how deep?
From the wilds of central KY, these appear to be rather sparse individuals for the size plant that they are. I suspect some quality issues that you couldn't overcome just by watering.
Leyland cypress is also a target of several diseases propagated by their prevalency (overplanting) in the south.
I'd dig the dead ones out, and autopsy 'em. Take a good look at what kind of root system that they have (left), and send the bodies in to the plant pathology wing of the local cooperative extension service.
VV,
Most of these were the same height as what you see, 3-4 feet tall. They came in 3 gallon pots of nursery potting soil.
I dug holes twice as large as the root balls, amended with composted manure and lightly mulched around the base of the plants.
So it's probably safe to say the plant front and center is dead then? Okay, I can dig it up and take it to the extension office and see if they can tell me more.
Thanks,
Molly
Hiya Molly. Well, 3 out of 19 isn't bad. That's what happens when you plant a monoculture, you can count on a few casualties ruining your plans. I personally think a mixed shrub border would look and feel more natural, as though the forest was coming right up to the edge of your property. A layered look would give you more privacy as well. And serve as a great backdrop to future garden beds. :0)
PrairieGirl,
You are absolutely right on all counts, but for this part of the yard/gardens, my 33 y/o son is ruling the decisions.
This area which actually is quite large, is his "Enchanted Garden" theme. Still a long way to completion, in the end it will have 2 separate sections, entering by way of viney arbors. The smaller area will have the grill, table and hammock. The larger area will have an island with a moat and bridge. He'll have trolls gnomes and fairies throughout both areas with plants that have fantasy type names or unusual blooms.
He wanted the living fence to be evergreen so that's why the leylandii cypress.
Molly
:^))))
My grandparents planted over a hundred of these things around their property about 8 years ago. A new school was built next to them and they wanted some privacy. I think at least twenty of them died and needless to say, they now have gaps in them. They were told that some kind of mite gets in them. I agree with VV, they are a little overplanted, especially by my grandparents! lol
My Mom swears (not really) on spider mites was in her Leyland Cypress. We planted it in 04' and it had brown coming from the bottom up, she quickly sprayed it with Bug-B-Gone she said that hooked up to her hose. I'd just get Neem spray myself.
But, it has grown rapidly as Leylands should. It is around 10 feet tall. When we planted it, it was around 3 feet tall.
Spider Mites are very small, they are hardly visible to the nekkid eye, but if you look closely they can be seen. Also, look for faint spider webs.
Will
Here it is a few weeks ago, growing fast.
Will,
Thanks, and the tree looks great. That's my dream.
Molly
:^))))
Your welcome. I hope you find what ails your Leylands.
Wanna see the size of the tree when we planted it, 2 years and 2 months ago?
It was looking rather sickly back then, but it soon grew like a weed!
Will
