I have a small run of leylandii hedge as a windbreak. Cut once a year, always looks tidy, does the job. Also have a single one on its own which also gets a regular trim and always has pigeons nesting in it. Also on the windy side of the garden. Even a weed in the right place can look attractive!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
In the right place and well cared for a conifer hedge can be a valuable shelter belt and/or privacy screen but overgrown, badly trimmed hedges and unhealthy trees that are browning or bare in patches just look dreadful and are best got rid of as they can't be saved because they don't regenerate from brown wood or foliage.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I think they are related to Triffids. Your lucky your one has not grown - they can reach 40ft or more and do not like pruning. When we bought this house there was a row of 40fters obscuring our view, we tried to cut them down to size but they all died - about 15 of them. If you see them growing in plantations there is little life there, especially underneath as the leaves are toxic to the soil (but they do smell like after shave).
We always grow Leylandii for birds to nest in especially Greenfinches. Made approx a 9ft circle and keep about 7ft high with a Pole Hedge Cutter. Song Thrushes nested occasionally, but tempted them to use an old lean-to shed for a year or two now. Also have a Leylandii hedge almost on the boundary top of the garden, completely hides the houses in the next road. Made a path either side for maintenance, this hedge is kept no more than 8ft high and does the job.
We're getting much older but probably not much wiser.
I'm with 'ForThe Bees' here ; definitely Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna); there are other species , but this is still one of the best in my opinion .
Brilliant fresh green new leaves in Spring ; scented flowers beloved by almost everything ; a formidable barrier to predators ; an excellent hedge too !
Red-berries usually devoured by our avian companions ; often brilliant Autumnal colouration with leaves that 'melt' away quickly .
On a par with Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose) for wildlife value .
An excellent tree/shrub for insects too .
An extra bonus is , when dead , or in the latter stages of its life , it is probably one of the best high calorific firewoods available !
If many more UK gardens contained a mature Hawthorn tree , the environment would be a far better place .
Leylandii is a perfectly good plant... it's just lazy people who don't trim them once a year. They don't use any more nutrient than any other hedge, and the ground only appears dry because of the surface root system. If a leylandii hedge is removed you can grow new things in there straight away with only the same prep that you'd give any renovated bit of ground.
They are also usually stuffed with nests, the birds rely on hedges like them.
Personally I loathe them and would take it out and replace with another tree. Even in a large garden what's the point of keeping something you don't love?
I agree, debs. Thanks for all the comments, there's little evidence to change my mind, overwhelmingly in favour of removing it for something more beneficial.
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Brilliant fresh green new leaves in Spring ; scented flowers beloved by almost everything ; a formidable barrier to predators ; an excellent hedge too !
Red-berries usually devoured by our avian companions ; often brilliant Autumnal colouration with leaves that 'melt' away quickly .
On a par with Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose) for wildlife value .
An excellent tree/shrub for insects too .
An extra bonus is , when dead , or in the latter stages of its life , it is probably one of the best high calorific firewoods available !
If many more UK gardens contained a mature Hawthorn tree , the environment would be a far better place .
They are also usually stuffed with nests, the birds rely on hedges like them.