Leylandii & Pond

[TheProfessor]

I have almost finnished digging a pond in my garden and intend screening it from a  road with a Leylandii hedge!  Can the clippings cause fish any harm if they were to fall in the pond?  Is there anything else i should consider??

[WendyS]

Yes - Please consider your neighbours!   These wretched trees have caused anquish all over the country to neighbours in adjacent houses who have to suffer their roots growing under fences and robbing the ground of moisture and nourishment, and their height shutting out all the sunlight and pleasure of enjoying the skyline.  With the new legislation now in place they will cost you a fortune over the years to continually keep cutting them down to the legal height.   Also, the roots could spread and cause damage to your pond liner, which will cause leakage.  Am sure a good garden centre or nursery will be able to recommend some more suitable and more visiually attractive alternatives. 

[andyjevs]

They probably wouldn't cause any direct poisoning but any leaves that fall into the pond would present a possible rotting problem just like fallen leaves can do especially in winter when the water is covered in ice. Roots could also puncture the pond in their search for water. I would try something else if it was me. A tall fence or some sort of bamboo screen would be my choice.

[Robinia]

I think that every time the word leylandii is mentioned on this site lights should flash & a loud siren should sound!!  ;-)

[WendyS]

We have  two neighbours' huge lleylandi conifers nearby and have a small pond.  For most of the autumn and winter when the sun is low in the sky, its rays never reach our pond.  Consequently when we have periods of heavy frost, the pond waterices up. Because the sun's warmth never touches the pond, the ice remains for ages and cuts out all the oxygen to the wildlife trying to survive under its surface.  It's a real pain having to rest saucepans of boiling water on the surface of the ice to melt a hole in it.  Another reason not to site your pond in an area when the sun can't reach it in winter.