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Both Leyland cypress and Green Giant arborvitae are common evergreen trees used for privacy screens and hedges. But how can you tell the difference between the two?
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Introduction
Most people cannot tell the difference between a Leyland Cypress and a Green Giant unless they are very familiar with both tree types. The Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing, evergreen tree that can reach up to 60 feet tall. It has a pyramidal growth habit with dense, dark green foliage. The Green Giant is also an evergreen tree that can reach up to 100 feet tall. It has a oval to round growth habit with dense, dark green foliage.
The difference in appearance
Leyland cypress and Green Giant are two popular choices for evergreen trees, but they have some distinct differences. The most obvious difference is their size; Leyland cypress grows to be about 60 feet tall, while Green Giant can reach heights of 100 feet. Leyland cypress also has a more conical shape, while Green Giant has a more columnar shape.
Leyland cypress has blue-green needles, while Green Giant has dark green needles. Both trees are fast growers, but Green Giant is the faster of the two; it can grow up to 3 feet per year, while Leyland cypress grows about 2 feet per year.
So, how can you tell the difference between these two evergreens? If you need a fast-growing tree with a columnar shape, choose Green Giant. If you prefer a smaller tree with a more conical shape, go with Leyland cypress.
The difference in growth
Leyland cypress and Green giant arborvitae are both popular evergreen trees that can be used for privacy hedges or screens. Leyland cypress trees grow much faster than Green giant arborvitae, however, so if you want a privacy hedge that will fill in quickly, Leyland cypress is the better choice. Green giants will eventually get just as tall as Leylands (up to 60 feet), but they take much longer to reach that height.
The difference in size
The difference in size is the most obvious way to tell the difference between a Leyland Cypress and a Green Giant. The Leyland Cypress is a much smaller tree, only reaching heights of around 30 feet. The Green Giant, on the other hand, can tower up to 100 feet tall.
Other ways to tell the difference include the color of the leaves and the shape of the tree. The Leyland Cypress has green-blue needles, while the Green Giant has dark green needles. The Leyland Cypress also has a more pyramid-shaped growth habit, while the Green Giant is more columnar.
The difference in lifespan
The Leyland Cypress is a hybrid between the Monterey Cypress and the Nootka false cypress, and was specifically bred for use as a Christmas tree. The Green Giant is an arborvitae, which is a different species from the Leyland Cypress. The Leyland Cypress will only live for around 20 years, while the Green Giant can live for hundreds of years.
The difference in soil
The first thing you need to look at when trying to tell the difference between a Leyland Cypress and a Green Giant is the soil. The Leyland Cypress prefers acidic soil while the Green Giant loves alkaline soil. You can also look at the color of the needles on each tree. The Leyland Cypress will have bright green needles while the Green Giant’s needles are more of a yellow-green color. Another way to tell these two trees apart is by their height. The Leyland Cypress grows to be about 60 feet tall while the Green Giant can grow up to 100 feet tall!
The difference in water
The Leyland cypress is a hybrid cross of the Monterey cypress and the Nootka False cypress. It is a fast-growing evergreen conifer that has become one of the most popular Christmas trees in recent years. The Leyland is also widely used as a privacy hedge or screen due to its rapid growth rate and dense foliage. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand harsh weather conditions better than other Christmas tree varieties.
The Green Giant is an evergreen conifer that was introduced into the United States in the 1950s. It is a cross between the western hemlock and the silver fir. The Green Giant is widely used as a Christmas tree, due to its excellent needle retention, majestic appearance, and ability to grow in a wide range of soil types and climates. It is also widely used as a landscaping tree, thanks to its fast growth rate, towering height, and dense foliage.
One of the easiest ways to tell these two trees apart is by looking at their water needs. The Leyland cypress can tolerate long periods of drought better than the Green Giant. This is because the Leyland has shallower roots that spread out more widely, whereas the Green Giant has deeper roots that are more clustered together. Therefore, when there is a lack of rain or snowfall, the Leyland will suffer from drought stress before the Green Giant does.
The difference in pests
There are several key differences between Leyland cypress and Green Giant arborvitae. For one, Leyland cypress is much more susceptible to pests and diseases than Green Giant. It is also not as cold hardy, meaning it won’t do well in colder climates. Finally, Leyland cypress grows much faster than Green Giant, which can be both a benefit and a drawback depending on your needs.
The difference in pruning
There are several ways to tell the difference between a Leyland Cypress and a Green Giant. The Leyland Cypress is a fast grower and can reach heights of 60 feet, while the Green Giant takes almost twice as long to mature and only reaches heights of 40 feet. The Leyland Cypress also has a flatter top than the Green Giant. When it comes to pruning, you should never prune more than one-third of the Leyland Cypress at one time, as this can damage the tree. With the Green Giant, you can prune up to one-half of the tree without damaging it.
The difference in uses
The Leyland cypress is a fast-growing, ornamental tree that is commonly used for privacy hedges or screens. The Green Giant is also a fast-growing, ornamental tree; however, it is not commonly used for privacy hedges or screens.
