Thanks all for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated.
I love the idea of strategically planting trees with an hedge/bush below to hide the fencing.
The conversation has indeed moved on from what to do with a handful of leylandii onto alternative planting options.
I have a spare acer rubrum “red sunset” and a spare Indian bean tree that I don’t have a spot for yet. I think they would look lovely here. Oh, and a couple of oak saplings which could go in the ground.
Perhaps I could plant yews a few meters apart with the idea of them growing into tightly spaced trees as opposed to a formal hedge? I’d seen something similar on the boundary of parks, underplanted with shade loving bushes etc.
Whatever you plant apart from leylandii will take upwards of 8-10 years to provide a decent boundary. If you have the space and it seems as though you have, I would plant a line of sacrificial leylandii along the boundary and them another staggered line of mixed natives about 10 ft in front. The leylandii will grow quickly and then when your natives have got to a decent height, you could start taking out the odd leylandii every few years until all you have left is the hedging. Leylandii only have a bad press as they have not in many cases been properly maintained. I have leylandii hedging which is trimmed every year and is a good wind barrier. Whatever you do will be a long term project. Have you thought of an 8 ft fence instead?
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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