Can my small Leyland Cypress trees thicken out but stay small?

Question

As you can see from the picture, I bought some small Leyland Cypress trees, with the intention of growing a small and thick (70cm high) hedge.

I now wonder if I chose the best type of tree for this, as they look very scrawny at this size, and also because I don’t want them to grow much taller.

I see other small trees that are already very thick and nice at that size, and perhaps wish I had bought them instead.

So my question is, will they thicken to form a small hedge and should I trim the top as they grow, or let it grow naturally and trim into the brown wood at the top the size I want it to stay at (knowing that it will not regrow)?

Or would it be better to replace them with another type of tree that looks thicker when small and is evergreen?

Thank you very much for your expertise, I am very new to gardening.

Chris

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Answer 1

They will probably overwhelm you in the first growing season. Leyland cypress typically grow 50 feet (15 meters) tall by 12 feet (4 meters) wide. They will outgrow those pots quickly. While they do accept severe pruning, and trimming annually for height, you would be better off to trade these in on a smaller evergreen.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/leyland-cypress/pruning-leyland-cypress.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/evergreens-for-containers.htm