Talkback: Dieback on Leyland cypress hedges

it looks like improper trimming or it could be spider mites if they are the soft evergreen curse in the uk that thet are in nev.

Yippee if you have to dig it out (OK it's hard work, but it's a marvellous work out and cheaper than the gym membership). Other than hiding the neighbours, this plant doesn't have much to recommend it.

If you do replant, I'd replace it with Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata). Does exactly the same job, but a slightly slower growth rate. It can be cut back into old wood and will re-shoot, and it's a nicer, brighter green. Finally, it smells fruity so cutting them is a pleasure...

I would like to recommend the Leyland Cypress as a tree, if you have an enormous garden. At Bedgebury Pinetum, which everyone who has any time for conifers should visit, they have a whole avenue of them. It is magnificent.

Emma.

gardenersworld.com team

The climate is changing and we are travelling. Scary how we now see the impacts around us in such weird ways, but the reality is that every time we travel there is a chance that a fungus or a mould spore or perhaps a Colorado beetle will be travelling with us.

Now that the winters are wetter - or should that be drier - and the summers are hotter (or colder?) our trees and shrubs are getting stressed and that makes them much much more susceptible to whatever little beastie has recently come to visit.

None of this is good news but Natural England decided that the best way to combat climate change is to concentrate on decent biodiversity and resilience - which for gardeners means growing from seeds rather than always clones, and looking after the soil.

I definitely do the latter, but how many of us grow trees from seeds? No wonder Leylandiis are susceptible. There is just one type and no diversity at all.

Once a disease has breached its defences a modern hedge is just a free lunch, so perhaps if a new hedge is to be started it it would be better to start from hips and haws?

Hi, I planted 10 leylanndi trees a month ago, some of the tops and shoots have gone brown ! Are they dying? They were planted in good soil with a mix of compost and have been watered in, it has also been raining a lot. Help and advise please. James.