Leylandii Problems and Height Law UK

Leylandi Cypress can grow 4ft a year. That may not sound too much, but, once it gets going it can suddenly overwhelm a garden growing to a height of upto 80 feet.

This provides a long shadow over neighbouring gardens, restricting the plants that they can grow.
The Leylandi can also dry up neighbouring gardens. Firstly the tree takes up water, however, it also provides a large rain shadow depriving the soil of water. This can make it difficult to to grow anything in dry shade.
It is not particularly attractive. The Leylandi could be described as a useful utility plant. Good for screening the garden but hardly much to look at. When it is towering 50 feet over your garden covering it in a dense shade, it is hard to see any redeeming features in the plant.

If regularly pruned to a reasonable height (e.g. 2m – the height of a tall man), the Leylandi can do its job without annoying its neighbours.

Dealing with Leylandi That are Too Tall.

If you are a keen gardeners and have a garden overshadowed by Leylandi that has been allowed to grow unchecked, you are probably quite disappointed that your gardening has this rather unwelcome problem.

The first port of call is to speak politely to your neighbours asking if you can agree to limits its height. It can be difficult to approach people, you don’t want to fall out with your neighbours, and we instinctively don’t like interfering in their property. However, remember that you do have a right to raise the issue because it is affecting your garden and property. To get the best response from your neighbour try doing the following.

Avoid a confrontational attitude. Don’t blunder round and start shouting that your garden is dying because of their trees. This is not a good idea. Try to find something else to speak to your neighbours, try and find a common cause over something, this makes them feel they are not just neighbours but friends. Here they are more likely to try and do you a favour.

In most cases, people may not prune the conifer simply because they don’t have time or don’t think about it. One option to leave open is to offer cutting it yourself or at least sharing in the costs of cutting it down. If this is a big hedge, it may be a bit much. But, it might be worth it, if you really want to cut it down. If you meet the neighbour half way it is much harder for them to refuse.

Legal Approach.

In 90% of cases a friendly approach should help to improve the situation. But, unfortunately, there may be cases where that isn’t sufficient and a neighbour refuses. In this case, it may be necessary to refer the situation to the council. You will need to provide evidence you have tried dealing with the issue privately. f the council deems the hedge excessive, they can ( under the anti-social behavior act 2003 ) order it to be reduced in height to two metres. Failure to comply with this order could mean a fine of £1,000.

Related

• Conifers in the Garden
• RIP Leylandii at BBC