Cutting leylandii trees in November in Carlow.

maxturbo

There is a row of leylandii trees growing 7 foot high, adjoining neighbours boundary and are grown at least 15 years. My neighbour has now decided to erect a timber type fence 5 feet high attached to stakes on his side only. Today he has now decided to cut 2 feet off these trees to match top line of timber fence using a handsaw. Hedge is as level as the water in the ocean with high and low waves. He has not informed us of this cutting of hedge. This person knows nothing about gardening or hedges. Is it safe to cut leylandii trees at this time of year? If there was frost would it effect the cut branches? Could these trees die or am I over reacting? If these trees will grow back, them I have no problem. any comments would be helpful.

medieval knievel · Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:34 pm Post subject:

are they on your property or his?
it's not a great time of year to cut them, and they don't like being cut back into old wood.
do they shade his property?

maxturbo · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:29 am Post subject:

The trees is the boundary between both properties. They are not shading his or our property. Im not sure why he is erecting this fence. Maybe less maintence on his side of the fence.

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:46 pm Post subject:

that is a great question or many questions. Is it a oleyland cypress as height after 15 years is very modest. If the trees are the boundary line then who planted them? or who paid for them? Leyland cypress will not die off that easily if pruned back now or any time. Leyland cypress will not regrow when cut back to old seasoned wood. Where shelter and privacy are your main concern then the fence is very useful. You can use creeping and climbing shrubs to cover the fence. I hope this helps before it ends up as a row between neighbours who shared a hedge.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)