It is a crossbreed of Cupressus macrocarpa and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis very valuable thus it grows quicker than macrocarpa (sometimes the branches grow 1 meter per year) and it is more resistant than them. The foliage resembles the nootkatensis but less pendular. It replaces the macrocarpa such as in hedges as well as shields and it is possible to cultivate it in forest plantations.

Recently a new crossbreed Leyland, "Castlewellan" was obtained from golden foliage progenitors. It is of even faster growing than the previous ones and has an excellent shape and color. It can be a very important tree.