Everyone loves a tree; right? Not if it is a Leylandii (Leyland Cypress) These fast growing trees have been the subject of many bitter disputes between neighbors and has led to punch-ups and even some deaths source

As you can see in the first photograph it can grow very tall. Not exactly the kind of thing you would want in a suburban handkerchief sized lawn. It is more at home in the landscape as a wind break for fields or as a cash crop for construction timber.

Most people we must assume buy them when they are just a few feet high but in just fifteen years they can grow to this height! (15 metres or 45 feet) Could you imagine a row of these planted as a garden hedge?

There are more Leylandii in Britain than there are people but it's not all bad news especially if you are into growing forests for profit. This species of tree is a hybrid that was engineered in the 19th century

As is often the case with newly developed strains of invasive species of trees that are introduced to make a quick buck. Once they get a foothold they compete with the native trees and usually win.

As we have seen in many countries around the world. There is now an effort to remove these aggressive but profitable (for some) trees.
In South Africa there is an ongoing battle to remove the Port Jackson tree and in the USA they have passed laws to eradicate certain invasive trees

Native British trees are pretty rare to see these days. They cannot compete with the Leylandii and other introduced species for profit.

My post for @old-guy-photos #treetuesday friendly competition and the #landscapephotography initiated by @juliank.

PS I'm not against profit but there is a much bigger issue here. The destruction of the natural habitat!