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Prevent Problems with Leyland Cypress

By Willie Chance (not verified) - Posted on 10 September 2009

Leyland cypress is a popular, fast growing hedge or border tree reaching heights of 50 to 100 feet and widths of 20 to 30 feet. Though Leyland cypress originally appeared pest resistant, as we have planted more of them - problems are becoming apparent. Over use of this plant and improper site selection and planting have led to disease problems with Leyland Cypress.

 

Fungi cause canker diseases on Leyland cypress

 

 Cankers are infected wounds on limbs and branches that may ooze infectious sap. Leyland cypress can get two canker diseases.

 

Bot canker kills individual branches in the tree.  The foliage may turn grey-green before it dies.  The dead branch will have darker bark and will have a sunken canker where the dead part of the branch begins.

 

Limbs infected with Seiridium canker turn yellowish and then brown to grey when they die. Limbs often die back from the tips. The cankers on the main stem are sunken, reddish and ooze sap profusely. There can be many cankers on a limb.

 

There is no spray to control these diseases.  These diseases enter wounds and are worse during stressful conditions.  The main control is to keep the plant in good health so it can resist these diseases.

 

Dry weather and improper watering can be big factors in the spread of these diseases.  Plants with roots that get too wet or too dry are more likely to get these canker diseases. 

 

Prevent disease problems with proper site selection and care

 

Water plants deeply once every 7 – 14 days during drought.  Wet soils to a depth of twelve to eighteen inches when watering.  This will probably require one inch of water if you use sprinklers. Put a pie pan or tuna can under the sprinkler and turn it on. Time the sprinkler to see how long it takes to apply one inch of water. Water this long each time. Soils must dry out between watering or roots may die. Avoid wetting the leaves and limbs when you water.

 

Soaker hoses are better because they keep the foliage dry, which may reduce disease problems. Run soaker hoses once every 7 - 14 days in dry weather. Turn them on just long enough to wet the soil twelve to eighteen inches deep.

 

Leyland cypress planted near paved areas, walls or other heat reflecting surfaces may need special care in watering and planting to get established and to grow well.

 

Plant Leyland cypress in well drained soils in sunny locations.  Mulch them after planting but mulches should be no deeper than two to four inches.  Apply mulch from the base of the tree out to several feet beyond the reach of the branches. Do not use landscape fabric unless the soil is very well drained.  Do not pile mulch against the base of the plant.

 

Do not plant Leyland cypress in wet soils or poorly drained areas.  They may respond to wet feet by getting sick or dying.  Check soil drainage before you plant or if the tree has problems.  Dig a hole about a foot deep and wide.  Fill it with water.  If it takes longer than three hours for the water to drain out, the soil is probably poorly drained. 

 

Do not plant Leyland cypress closer than eight feet apart.  As the plants get big enough for the limbs to touch, remove every other tree.  As the limbs rub together they cause wounds that can be infected by disease.

If your Leyland Cypress already has these diseases …

 

First cut out the dead limbs.  Be very careful to cut way back into good live tissue.  Cutting diseased limbs and then good limbs may spread the disease.  While pruning you can periodically clean your shears with a towel dipped into rubbing alcohol. We generally do not cut the main stem on a Leyland cypress. If you have cankers on the main stem, remove the tree or treat the disease as per these directions and see if the tree recovers.

 

Finally, use the information mentioned earlier to find out what needs to change about the way we are growing the plant.  The main problem is often improper watering.  Solving tree problems often comes down to watering and root care since there is generally little else we can do for trees.

 

Other issues with Leyland cypress

 

Leyland cypress grow quickly but people plant them in areas too small for their mature size.

 

All Leylands are propagated by cuttings. Some cuttings do not root well and these trees are prone to be blown over in heavy winds.

 

Consider these issues when you plant

 

Avoid plants like Leyland cypress and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria) if you cannot give them the care and conditions discussed today. Other plants may give you the same results without the potential problems. Consider selecting one of these alternatives. However remember that all plants have certain requirements. Match the plant to the site in terms of size, sunlight, soil type, irrigation and care required.

 

Possible alternatives to Leyland cypress

See this publication for details on size, growth rate, site preferences, etc. of some of these -

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B625/B625.htm

 

‘Green Giant’ Thuja                                          ‘Foster’s’ holly

‘Little Gem’ magnolia                                        ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ magnolia

Lusterleaf holly                                     ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ holly

Osmanthus (tea olive)                                       Eastern red cedar (good option but growth rate can be slow)

 

Kevin Ong, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Bugwood.org

Source: 
Willie Chance, UGA Extension Agent, Houston County
Resource: 
Contct your local Extension Agent
Diseases of Leyland Cypress in the Landscape
Leylands Get Really Big
Leyland Cypress
Seridium Canker – A Drought Related Disease on Leyland Cypress
Pest Management Handbook (Follow all label recommendations when using any pesticide
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Educational Services for the Turf & Landscape Industry

By Willie Chance (not verified) - Posted on 19 August 2009

UGA Extension ‘extends’ the university’s educational resources to offer lifelong learning to the people of Georgia through unbiased, research-based education in agriculture, the environment, communities, youth and families. These resources are available to the landscape, turf & nursery industry in many ways.

 

 Contact your Local Extension Office!

 

Locate your local UGA Extension Office – http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/statewide.cfm

Call your local UGA Extension Office – (800) ASK-UGA1 from any non-mobile phone.

 

Online Landscape Information

 

Find more than 250 factsheets at http://www.gaurbanag.org/ blocked::http://www.gaurbanag.org/" href="http://www.gaurbanag.org/" target="_blank">www.gaurbanag.org/ 

Search UGA Extension publications at www.caes.uga.edu/publications/

The Landscape Alert educates the Georgia landscape industry through email about current issues, pests and opportunities. Subscribe by emailing sthorn@uga.edu or see past issues archived online at www.gaurbanag.org

Online safety videos (www.ugaurbanag.com) and other videos (http://tinyurl.com/7nnqqv) make a great 'rainy day' or 'any day' training.

 

Super Crew Video Series

 

The SuperCrew video series brings professional training to your location at your convenience. It was developed in cooperation with industry leaders and endorsed by professional organizations. Each DVD training is narrated in both English and Spanish and includes discussion questions and multiple-choice exams in each language. To order or for more information - http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/ blocked::http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/" href="http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/" target="_blank">http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/

 

Topics include:

 

Being Safe with Grounds Equipment                                          Installation and Establishment of Turfgrasses

Annual Bed Preparation and Installation                                    Planting Procedures for Woody Ornamentals

Employee's Role in Landscape Problem Solving                        Introduction to Pesticide Safety

Quality Landscape Management: The Employee's Role

Job Safety for the Professional Landscape Employee

Making Every Drop Count: The Employee's Role in Water Conservation

 

Hispanic Training

 

 OSHA "Safety Makes Sense" Online Video Series, presented by the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture are available at – www.ugaurbanag.com. The site includes other training materials.

 

Purchase bilingual Super Crew videos - http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/ blocked::http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/" href="http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/" target="_blank">http://www.supercrew.caes.uga.edu/

 

 For information on in-person/on- site training, contact Karen Atkins – atkinsk@uga.edu, (478) 987-2028.


Georgia Certified Landscape Professional (GCLP)

 

There are approximately 8,000 horticultural related businesses in Georgia.  How can you set yourself apart from the masses?  Prove you are the best in the business by taking the GCLP challenge.  Landscape contractors receive a 22 chapter reference manual and access to an online course.  It is a self study course that can be completed while you continue to grow your business.  Written and hands-on exams are offered several times a year.  For more information please contact the UGA Center for Urban Agriculture at 770-233-6107 or visit online at Http://GCLP.info.  

 

UGA Pest Management Handbook

 

UGA Extension produces an annual Pest Management Handbook. The handbook has many uses for pesticide applicators. It includes:

 

  • Pesticide recommendations for most major pests and crops. This can include pesticide rates, recommendations on application, post harvest or re-entry interval and other information.
  • Pesticide handling and safety information.

 

The Handbook can be accessed online at http://www.ent.uga.edu/pmh/. You can also purchase hard copies from this website. UGA Extension produces two editions – one for homeowners and one for commercial agricultural businesses (which includes landscapers, nurseries, golf courses and greenhouses.)

 

The 2009 Turfgrass Pest Control Recommendations for Professionals will soon be returning from the printers. The Georgia Turfgrass Association (GTA) has footed the bill for publishing these recommendations. I hope agents will have these free guides to Turf pesticides within the month. The publication is available online now at www.GeorgiaTurf.com.

 

Soil Testing

 

Standard soil samples will tell you how to lime and fertilize plants for best growth. Cost ranges from $6.00 to about $10.00. Bring samples to your local Extension Office. For more information see this website http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/C896/C896.htm

 

You can also order soil testing kits that allow you to submit samples through the mail. The $15 kit includes sampling instructions, a soil sample bag and pre-paid mailer. Visit www.soiltest123.com

 

Specialized analyses are available for greenhouse or nursery media and other soils. Cost for these special samples varies with the sample.

 

Nematode assays identify the presence, numbers and type of nematodes in the soil around the roots of the plant. Assays are free if we are troubleshooting or $25 for routine samples.

 

Pesticide and Chemical analyses cost more ($50-$100 or more) and are available but are usually not necessary to diagnose most problems. Consider other factors first.

 

Water & Media Sampling

 

Water samples are very useful for greenhouse & nursery operators since many fertilizers are applied via irrigation. Water quality can greatly affect the nutrition and health of greenhouse and some nursery crops. Water sampling is one of the first steps to a good fertility program in greenhouse crops. For more information go to – http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubs/PDF/B1256.pdf. Water and media sampling can help supply proper information for making the best decisions in producing plants and preventing and solving problems. 

 

Plant, Insect and Disease Samples

 

Many problems can be diagnosed over the phone, by email or by bringing a sample to the Extension office. There may be a charge for some samples.

 

Online Weather Data

Weather stations across Georgia monitor air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, soil temperature, soil moisture and barometric pressure. This information is updated every 15 minutes and posted at www.Georgiaweather.net . Users can get current and historical weather data.

Please share this information with others in the landscape & turf industry!

 

 

Source: 
Willie Chance
Resource: 
Contact your local UGA Extension Office
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