What is Leyland Cypress?
In the 1800’s numerous tree species from all over the world were planted in an arboretum at Leighton Hall estate in England (Welshpool, Wales). In 1888 six unusual seedlings were noticed at Leighton Hall, apparently from a rare intergeneric cross between an Alaska-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) mother tree and a nearby Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). Both parent trees are native to the North-American Pacific coast. The new hybrid (Cupressocyparis leylandii) was called a cypress since the Alaska-Cedar is a “false cypress” and the Monterey cypress is a “true cypress.” Neither are related to our southern baldcypress (Taxodium distichum). The original six seedlings were taken to Haggerston Castle estate in central England (Northumberland) by a relative of the owner of Leighton Hall, C. J. Leyland. In 1911 two more seedlings were derived from a Monterey cypress at Leighton Hall and were transplanted there by J. M. Naylor, a nephew of Leyland. One of these developed into the pop
