Question
what can i put on golden lelandi to
boost em on a bit
they are not taking off as well as i hoped
i planted them about 2yrs ago and they are still not shooting off

cheers john  in ireland

Answer
Fertilize the cypruss leylandii with a fertilizer which as the ratios 3:1:3, 3:1:2 such as 12-4-8, 15-5-15, etc. These fertilizers are sold as shrub or perennial fertilizers. You can even use a turf type lawn fertilizer ("winterizer") as long as the potassium level (last number of the 3) is high enough. Avoid so-called "starter" fertilizers (high 2nd number: phosphorus) or flower fertilizers (also too high in phosphorus).

Make sure the evergreens are not planted in a spot which is consistently damp. If this is the case, I would transplant and/or improve drainage.

When fertilizing, you should use about 2-4 lbs ACTUAL nitrogen per 1000. You can dose this by dividing 300 by the first number on the bag. e.g. if you buy a 10-2-6 fertilizer, dose 300 / 10 = 30 lbs per 1000 sq feet.

To calculate how many sq feet, look at the canopy as the roots typically extend 1.5 times the width of the canopy. Find the widest part of the tree (canopy) and meassure another 50% out from there. Example, a 3 foot wide canopy should be fertilized in a 4.5' wide band. To calculate the sq footage use this formular
Radius = diameter (4.5') / 2 (or meassure from tree trunk to edge of canopy on one side)
Sq footage = Radius x Radius * 3.14
(example: radius = 4.5 / 2 = 2.25
sq footage = 2.25 x 2.25 x 3.14 = 15.89 sq feet.

In this example, using a 10-2-6 fertilizer, you would use 300/10 = 30 lbs per 1000 sq feet. E.g. 30 / 1000 * 15.89 = 0.48 lbs per tree.

If you have the trees in a row (like a hedge) meassure the lenght of the entire row and multipy with the widest width of the hedge. then add 50%. Example: a 20' row of trees where the widest point is 2.5' wide. Sq footage = 20 x 2.5 = 50 sq feet + 50% = 75 sq feet.

To calculate fertilizer to use, if you use a 15-5-15 fertilizer: 300 / 15 = 20 lbs per 1000 sq feet.
Amount to use: 20 / 1000 * 75 = 1.5 lbs per row of trees.

If your hedge/trees are planted in lawn area do not apply the entire amount in one application. split it into two applications (1 in spring and 1 in fall).

If your hedge is not in lawn area, apply the fertilizer in one application in late spring. Water in well.

The preferred way to fertilize is to incorporate the fertilizer a few inches into the soil evenly spread around the hede (below and extending 50% beyond the canopy). This can be done with a small shovel, or by drilling holes evenly spaced into the ground. As alternative the fertilizer can also be broadcast.

Another way to keep the trees actively growing is to water regularily through summer in case of lack of water.