How far apart to plant Leyland cypress
University of Georgia Extension says to plant Leyland cypress at least 12 to 15 feet apart, and at least 15 feet from structures. The calculator starts at 14 ft, the middle of that range. Closer planting makes a screen sooner, but UGA warns that the extra trees then have to come out within a few years.
The reason is size. Clemson Cooperative Extension describes Leyland cypress growing 3 to 4 feet a year when young and reaching 60 to 70 feet tall and 12 to 20 feet wide, with 70 to 100 ft not unusual. Clemson adds that it usually grows larger than most people want.
How many Leyland cypress for a privacy screen
Choose Row or windbreak in the calculator and enter the length of your screen.
| Screen length | At 14 ft | Trees on both ends |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 0 (plant one tree) | 1 |
| 25 ft | 1 | 2 |
| 50 ft | 3 | 4 |
| 100 ft | 7 | 8 |
The first count keeps half a spacing, 7 ft, free at each end of the row, so a short screen gets no full slot; that is the calculator's default. Open More options and set the edge to "None, plant on the edge" to count trees on both ends. A double staggered row of 100 ft (pattern Triangular (staggered), 2 rows) takes 13 trees at 14 ft and gives each one room on both sides.
Why crowding matters for this tree
When Leyland cypress trees grow into each other or into something else, UGA explains, the canopy loses the air circulation it needs, which invites disease and can lead to early death. Clemson's pest fact sheet names Seiridium canker as a disease of Leyland cypress. The 12 to 15 ft minimum is there for air flow, not only for looks.
Christmas tree spacing
Christmas tree growers are the exception. NC State Extension notes they space Leyland cypress 4 to 8 feet apart because the trees are cut young; pick "Christmas tree planting" in the variety menu and the calculator switches to 6 ft. On an Area of one acre that is 1,210 trees at 6 x 6 ft, against 222 per acre at the 14 ft landscape spacing.
Do not use Christmas tree spacing for a permanent screen: at 6 ft, trees that each spread 12 ft or more overlap long before they reach full height.
Related tools
Compare Leyland cypress with arborvitae and other screening plants in the hedge spacing calculator, or plan a windbreak or plantation per acre with the tree spacing calculator. For a narrower screen that fits a small lot, see arborvitae spacing.