Planting leylandii advice

Hello everyone.
I have ordered 12 leylandii trees around 4' to replace some fencing.
Reading up on tinternet, I believe I should use some slow release fertiliser on the roots and Compost.

And there's me thinking I just lob them in a hole and they grow happily ever after!

I only have a homebase nearby really. Can anyone recommend something general I can get in there to use??


Too late to order from supplier now.
Thanks all.

 

I believe they sell a range of chimineas, incinerator bins, and chippers. Then once you've dealt with the leylandii, I think they also sell a range of good hedging shrubs that won't steal all the nutrients and moisture from yours and your neighbours gardens, grow out of control and block all the light, and won't be a massive fire hazard even after a dry period in summer

 

I am not trying to be rude but do you really want to plant Leylandii? I know it's fast growing but it is quite a lot of hard work to keep it in shape and they, more often than not cause trouble between neighbours due to their speed of growth and taking every drop of moisture/goodness out of a substantial area around them. Because of this you'll be lucky to get even the likes of Daffodils to grow near the hedge. You can't prune into the brown wood as it won't regrow or if you do it looks like nothing on earth.
There are many many other alternatives. admittedly not so fast growing but unless it's inperative to have something instant maybe have a look at say a Beech hedge which will give you a reasonable hedge depending on soil conditions within say 3 years if you plant quite close.

 

They are to replace fence that hides a roadway. I Haven't got any neighbours.

Thanks guys for your help

 

Ok fair enough then. Unless the ground is terrible I'd be inclined to dig it over to give the trees an easy time rooting into it and if you have spare, some sort of soil improver, manure/compost etc. As for adding a fertilizer, personally I wouldn't bother and save your pennies. We planted a Leylandii hedge (given the plants!) years ago in pretty rough ground and it took off like Topsey with no fertilizer. You may already know but to get the height of hedge you want let the hedge grow about 3 ft taller than you want, then take it down to the height you want if this makes sense.

 

Great thanks. Thats what I'll do then. I shall get My spade out then and start digging.