Question
I am interested in about 100 Leyland type shrubs from 3' to 8' - We are in the south Jersey area - I understand that there is another type of shrub that looks almost the same as a Leyland but is more deer tolerant and easier to grow - can you help me


Thank You

Charlie Kojeski

Kojeski Construction
Please visit us at kojeski.com


Answer
Leyland cypresses, XCupressocyparis leylandii, are not fairing well in many landscapes. It is a fast growing tree used in boarders and screens that had relatively few pest problems. Now is has been suffering from branch die-back. Sadly, it can cause the death of the tree. Seiridium canker is the cause. This disease is not to the point of wiping out this tree, but I would recommend not planting this tree as it likely will in the future be a major concern. Why plant a tree that is not going to be healthy or is suspect? Thus landscape designers should seek a replacement for the Leyland Cypress. One great choice is the Green Giant Arborvitae. Green Giant arborvitae is becoming a superstar in the plant world. It is the most popular arborvitae next to the Emerald Green Arbor vita. The reason for its success is that it fills landscape needs that are important. It will help block large unsightly neighbors quickly and is basically pest free.

Arborvitae are native to the pacific northwest where they grow to 200 feet tall, usually 50 to 70 feet is the common height, even including here in Bucks county. Arborvitae do best in wet forests and swamps. The Green Giant appearance is due to this specie's wide 15-25 foot wide base, the slightly tapering conical shape, and the dense branches and leaves casting great dark shadows. The Arborvitae grows in zones 6 to 8, environments with temperatures that get as low as 10 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit, such as in Missouri or Pennsylvania, to environments where winter temperatures get only as low as 20 degrees above 0 Fahrenheit, such as mid-Texas and northern Florida.



Green Giant Arborvitae have pretty, yet surprisingly tiny yellow flowers. The "pine cones," the fruit actually, of the tree, follow the budding of the flowers and are also surprisingly small compared to the size of a mature tree, being no more than a half-inch in size. There are no problems with tree litter understandably, and so few animals are attracted to the Green Giant Arborvitae, perhaps because of this description.



The Green Giant Arborvitae is recommended for growing as a hedge or privacy buffer along a property line, or driveway. Thuja Plicata, Western Red Cedars are ideal "windrow" trees. In a row, they'll truly diminish the wind. The Green Giant Arborvitae is justifiably considered wind resistant considering the windswept mountains of the Pacific northwest. The wood itself is weak, but it is very light. Green Giant Arborvitae do have better deer resistance than most arborvitae. These trees have been planted in high deer population areas with out damage of the Emerald Green Arborvitae. The Green Giants will only be eaten by deer if there is no other feed available.