X Cuprocyparis leylandii - © Charles Hipkin
X Cuprocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress
(A.B. Jacks. & Dallim.) Farjon
Leyland Cypress is a hybrid between Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Alaska Cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis). It originated either in Wales or Ireland and does not have a natural distribution (parental ranges do not overlap). Since it is sterile and can only be propagated vegetatively, there are no naturalised populations but it may persist as a relic of cultivation. It grows very rapidly and is a popular hedging tree more or less confined to urban areas.
