Expert: Jim Hyland - 9/28/2006

Question
Can a leland cypress be planted on the slope of a hill?  We will be using them in full sun to serve as a break between two subdivisions.  It will require up to 150 trees.  The area consists of flat land and the slope of a ditch.  We would like to stagger them and would need to plant on the slope of the ditch.

Thank you

Answer
Yes they can be planted on the slope of a hill and the spol;e of the ditch. The important thing is to make sure the new hole is large enough--make it twice the width of the root ball of the trees planted and twice the depth of the root ball--mulch the area around the tree with not more than 4 inches deep of mulch. They should be planted in the spring after the last frost usually March or April.
Here is a web link to information on planting a hedge type planting.
http://www.crocus.co.uk/howto/plantingahedge/