Looks like a type of cherry laurel, either Prunus caroliniana or Prunus laurocerasus.

P. laurocerasus - an upright form, such as 'Shipkaensis'. This species is all over here, in fact it's a weed.

I looked at other pictures and it sure looks like P.laurocerasus is what I have. Then I read the part about cyanide in the leaves. Guess I shouldn't have kept sticking my head in the garbage bag of trimmed leaves going "what is that smell?? I know that smell".

Next question: Why, oh why, would anyone plant a hedge that grows to 18 feet tall by 30 feet wide right next to a house??? Am I better off pulling it out or will aggressive pruning keep it in shape?

Thanks for identifying it!
Bellatrix

Next question: Why, oh why, would anyone plant a hedge that grows to 18 feet tall by 30 feet wide right next to a house??? Am I better off pulling it out or will aggressive pruning keep it in shape?

I don't know anything about this particular plant, but I am also puzzled by the plants people use close to the house. One place I lived had a star magnolia that was beautiful but completely blocked both dining room windows, forsythias right up against the house, and a pyracantha in front of the cleanout door on the chimney. Beats me....

People usually do it because they want something full fast and they end up making an inappropriate choice. They also don't always do their homework on mature size of the plant. And some people just plain don't seem to mind pruning the plant often enough to keep it in bounds. So, 3 reasons as to why and sometimes they all 3 apply!

'Skip' laurels do grow quickly and they are cheap. That's why they are planted. I moved four of them away from our house and am using them as a screen along our property line.