As long as I’ve lived in my house, I have muttered with dismay as the leylandii in neighbouring gardens get taller and taller and thus block more and more of the sun from my south-facing garden.
Then this week, a tree surgeon took down the tops of the trees with the following result.
I’m not sure what possessed my neighbours to have this job done now, of all times, with birds nesting in the trees. So, while it is a relief to have more light and a reduced threat from tall trees so close to our properties, I am so sad for the resident birds.
Growing out of chaos 
Anyone who grows Leylandii probably doesn’t have much feeling for wildlife
To be fair, one of the properties had them before they moved in. It was on the market at the same time as my house and I’m so glad I didn’t go for it.
I don’t know about the other house but with their artificial grass and nothing else I think they are wildlife phobic, unfortunately.
Thank goodness for the garden you and Jackie have, Derrick.
🙂
Leylandii are great for creating privacy quickly but they do get out of hand equally quickly and don’t lend themselves to clipping. I am glad you have more light now. Hopefully there weren’t many nests in there – I have 2 Lawson’s cypress and there never seem to be nests in them – the birds prefer the other trees.
I understand from another neighbour that the leylandii were planted specifically for privacy – or perhaps simply to blot out the council estate on the other side. I am glad, at least, that ‘our’ birds do like them. It was a relief to see a courting pigeon couple on the trees today 😊.
I might have a Lawson’s cypress in my garden – it was given as a friend when I moved here. At the point, I myself knew nothing about horticulture and wildlife. However, now my friend herself has suggested I take it out. So, maybe I will once the other trees are more established. Do you think yews are more attractive for wildlife?
Sorry Helen I have no idea!
Thank you for answering, anyway 😊
We are moving to a new house witha patch of artificial grass- I don’t thnk it will be there a week later. Poor birds.
Yes, get that grass up – you don’t want to be breathing all those nasty microfibres, apart from anything else.
The poor birds indeed! I could be anthropomorphising here but I am sure they were looking around in bewilderment after the trees had been lopped.
Here’s hoping they remove the lot eventually – I’m sure the wildlife would find something nicer. I’m glad you’ve got a bit more light in the meantime
Removing the lot would be good, especially if they replaced the leylandii with something which didn’t grow as fast, was deciduous and less of a fire hazard.
I’m looking forward to autumn to see how much extra light I get – in summer it’s not so bad because of the height of the sun. Hopefully, I will once again have year round sun on the ground 😊