A cedar[?] yard-adori opportunity

[Newish in Oregon]

A neighbor is offering up a roughly 8' evergreen she identifies as a cedar. Trunk is pretty straight but it does have branches quite low. I'm thinking if I were to dig it up, I'd chop it to 3' [or less?] and see where it went from there. Do folks think it's worth the effort?

 

[rockm]

Leyland cypress. not worth the effort. Mostly a fast-growing junk tree used in landscaping for screening off or blocking unwanted views (roads, other building, etc.) and dampen sound. It's a hybrid of Monterey Cypress and Alaskan Nootka cypress.

They've fallen out of favor with many landscapers:

Why we don’t recommend Leyland Cypress Trees…

Leyland Cypress trees and similar like Thuja Green Giant trees can provide great privacy but have huge issues when it comes to offering privacy long term. Disease, drought, and natural disasters are the leading causes of damage to these trees. In many cases, you’ll have a few of them die which...

lewisbamboo.com

As bonsai, they are similar to White Cedar (arborvitae) but have none of the rugged charm. You have to learn how to deal with the fan-like foliage. Others have tried to make bonsai from it. Limited success:

Leyland Cypress as a bonsai?

Hey everyone, I was curious as to whether or not a Leyland Cypress could be turned into a bonsai. I know they are fast growers, but was unsure if they would. Lowes has tons of them and I have been thinking about bonsai-ing one of them. Do they work? Thanks! Ryan

www.bonsainut.com

Others have mediocre results--fifth pic down:

Displays at East Bay Bonsai Society's 58th Annual Show - Bonsai Tonight

Enjoying traditional and non-traditional displays at the recent EBBS show.

bonsaitonight.com

 

[penumbra]

Aside from it being a poor candidate for a host of reasons, it is altogether a boring plant when trying to conceptualize as a bonsai.
It is a nice but overused tree for screening in the landscape. They do have their problems though even as a landscape plant. They seem to be fairly brittle and I have seen large ones (30'+) snap in high wind. The biggest problem is that they have been so overused for the past 40 or 50 years, that they have developed a host of problems with insect and disease resistance, and with genetics as well. As a landscaper, I haven't planted one in about 30 years.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

I would dig it for sure, yeah you will have to go with the classic chokan with ten-jin old spruce style, but look it as a practice tree with low spectations, maybe it surprises you

 

[penumbra]

I would save there is a greater likelihood of learning bad habits than good with this type of material. The frustration of trying to make a bonsai of this aside from the time invested, No Way.
But its your time and energy, you have been cautioned.

 

[Newish in Oregon]

Preponderance of the feedback is not to do it. Though Arnold suggests viewing it as practice, I don't have the room for something w/ low expectations and I'm passing on it. Thanks for the thoughts

 

[Potawatomi13]

NO!