Trimming lightly is the best solution, and once they're the size you want, only take off the growth produced that year, so that you maintain that size. The main problem with them is that they can grow several feet in a season once they're happy, and that's when it can be difficult, and the outcome can very quickly be what you see in that last pic! It's up to you if you want to engage with the council about the eventual height, because they might take a look and say - 'no, you can't have them at more than 2 metres'. If you leave them to get to the height you really want, and someone complains, that's when there's a problem for you in terms of cutting back.
Re your location - they may grow more slowly where you are, but once established, they can still put on a fair old amount each season. It's during long dry spells in summer that you'll need to be vigilant, as they can easily dry out because of the shallow root system. The problems don't always show up until the following year either, so really thorough, deep watering every few days is the way to approach it from now on
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Bear in mind you will not be able to grow anything well within at least 6ft all the way around the leylandii. They take all of the moisture and nutrients from the soil. They are the thugs of the tree world. They grow huge very quickly, and they have caused local councils massive problems with arguments between neighbours. Leylandii need a trim twice a year to keep their size under control but it doesn't help with their root spread.
Are other hedges such as Yews 'thugs of the tree world' by taking up the moisture so much too?
I can see why you have chosen Leylandii for your location. Other options would be slower growing and perhaps less happy in an exposed position facing a busy road. This article might provide you with some confidence about your choice @deadendwaterfall:
It always depends on the growing conditions. They [leylandii] aren't as problematic here regarding other nearby plants, simply because of the soil type and weather. Conifers, in general, don't create the problems here that they do in drier parts of the country, but it also means they establish and grow quickly. It's always about local conditions, and that includes aspect and other building/walls/fences/planting etc.
Yew prefers reasonably well drained soil, while many conifers will cope with wetter conditions, but generally, they're slower growing than leylandii. They'll still become very large over time, but can be cut back without creating the deaad wood that appears on many conifers. There are lots of hedging plants which will grow at a slower rate, but - it still depends on the site and conditions as to how rapidly they grow. Just like any other tree or shrub.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@sales07731 I would check closely on how to prune leylands; people fall into the trap of not understanding, and then getting lots of browning that they can do little about. They are not as flexible in that way as some other hedging plants. I think you would be need to be precise and careful into future on a fixed schedule. It's worth doing some research.
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The main problem with them is that they can grow several feet in a season once they're happy, and that's when it can be difficult, and the outcome can very quickly be what you see in that last pic!
It's up to you if you want to engage with the council about the eventual height, because they might take a look and say - 'no, you can't have them at more than 2 metres'. If you leave them to get to the height you really want, and someone complains, that's when there's a problem for you in terms of cutting back.
Re your location - they may grow more slowly where you are, but once established, they can still put on a fair old amount each season. It's during long dry spells in summer that you'll need to be vigilant, as they can easily dry out because of the shallow root system. The problems don't always show up until the following year either, so really thorough, deep watering every few days is the way to approach it from now on
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
https://evergreenhedging.com/leylandii-the-best-hedge-to-filter-out-air-pollution/
Yew prefers reasonably well drained soil, while many conifers will cope with wetter conditions, but generally, they're slower growing than leylandii. They'll still become very large over time, but can be cut back without creating the deaad wood that appears on many conifers. There are lots of hedging plants which will grow at a slower rate, but - it still depends on the site and conditions as to how rapidly they grow. Just like any other tree or shrub.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...