x Cupressocyparis leylandii - Leyland cypress
Location: Longford Park - Manchester. The leyland cypress is in fact a hybrid between two genera, Cupressus and Chamaecyparis. Its a rapidly growing tree that can reach heights of 35 meters. When left to grow naturally, it's overall shape looks like that of a giant flame.
It is a common hedgerow tree species used mainly as a shelter belt to buffer sound, sunlight, wind etc.
Upright columnar growth. The group of specimens are in good health and are growing fine where they are.
Scale-like foliage. Leyland cypress trees are hermaphrodite and produce both male and female flowers that appear on the tips of the shoots.
Because of the tree's naturally thick bushy form it makes for a good specimen for topiary, only the bottom of these cypress' have been shaped to allow access in between the trees.
A shot showing the trees internal structure, it looks similar to a Populus nigra var. italica's structure. It has lost its foliage on this side because it isn't getting enough sunlight so it had no need to grow there anymore.
