European hornbeam vs Leyland cypress

European hornbeam and Leyland cypress are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

European hornbeam

Carpinus betulus 6 m × 4.5 m after 10 years

It makes a dense hedge that responds well to clipping, but grows into a large shade tree if left unpruned. The foliage turns yellow in autumn, and…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 33

Leyland cypress

× Cuprocyparis leylandii 8 m × 2.5 m after 10 years

A very fast evergreen that gives you a tall, dense privacy hedge within a few years, but only choose it if you have the room and the time. It grows…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 350

Key differences

European hornbeam is deciduous, Leyland cypress is evergreen.
Leyland cypress grows taller, European hornbeam spreads wider: 8 m × 2.5 m and 6 m × 4.5 m after ten years (an estimate: sources differ).
European hornbeam is hardier: down to -27 °C, against -23 °C for Leyland cypress.
European hornbeam tolerates drought better than Leyland cypress.
European hornbeam needs less care than Leyland cypress.
European hornbeam also grows in shade, Leyland cypress does not.

Which one to choose?

European hornbeam is the better choice if the garden is cold or a frost pocket, you cannot water regularly, you have little time for care or the spot is shady.

Leyland cypress is the better choice if it must screen in winter too.

Watch out for

Leyland cypress

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe this shallow-rooted plant easily suffers drought stress, and weakened hedges are attacked by fungal cankers (Seiridium, Botryosphaeria) and shoot dieback (Kabatina, needle blights): whole branches turn brown and there is no effective spray against canker. On waterlogged, heavy soil Phytophthora root rot kills it. Planting too densely and poor air movement make infections worse. It needs watering on frost-free winter days too, because the foliage keeps transpiring. Surfaces cut back into brown wood never green up again, and dead plants leave a lasting gap in the hedge. Old, tall specimens can blow over in storms.

The data side by side

Feature	European hornbeam	Leyland cypress
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	6 m × 4.5 m (uncertain)	8 m × 2.5 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	15–20 m × 9–12 m (uncertain)	18–30 m × 3–4.5 m
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Fast
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -27 °C (USDA 5, RHS H7)	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Low (uncertain)
Foliage	Deciduous	Evergreen
Flowering	March–April, yellow, green	no data
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Low
Maintenance	Medium	High
Planted as a hedge	3.5 plants per running metre	2 plants per running metre
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about CZK 33 (< 40 cm)	about CZK 2,600 (150–200 cm)

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 26, 2026

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