English Yew; Irish Yew
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Wide-spreading/densely-branched/ascending branches/broad-rounded to pyramidal. If unsheared, grows 30-60' tall, 15-30' wide. Can grow 85' tall. A slow grower. Yews are among the most ancient of trees, w/ specimens in England, Scotland & Wales in the 4,000-year-old range, w/ a 50' trunk circumference.

Native Range

Native to Europe, N. Africa & SW Asia. Cultivated since ancient times.

Flower and Fruit Details

March/April flowers dioecious, mostly female. Male strobili flowers globose, arising from leaf axis on undersides of branches, w/ 6-14 stamens; female flowers solitary, green, like small, stalked, conical buds. Fruits occur on female plants only, & are actually just a brown, nut-like seed, covered by a fleshy, red aril. Seeds are toxic to humans & livestock. Seeds 1/4" by 1/5".

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Leaves: 1/2-1 1/4" long, 1/16-1/4" wide, spirally arranged, occurring around all sides of erect shoots, but 2-ranked on horizontal shoots & on plants grown in shade, dark green/blackish-green w/ prominent midrib above, lighter yellow-green beneath. Leaves: evergreen, lustrous, flat & needle-like, sickle-shaped, tapering at tip to a horny point. Foliage, if ingested, is very toxic & deadly to most types of livestock & several other animals (but not deer) due to taxine in foliage, bark & seeds. Notable Bark: Young stems greenish, w/ brownish scales at base. As ages, if not kept sheared back, develops a rich, reddish-brown, massive, fluted, beautiful trunk. Old specimens w/ showy bark best viewed in England. Bark is furrowed, thin, scaly, flaky.

Culture and Care

Plant in moist, well-drained, sandy loam, calcareous or acid soil, in sun or shade. Very shade tolerant. Zone 6(5)-7. Must have excellent drainage. Will die in wet, soggy soils. Avoid sweeping winds.& cold to help prevent winter desiccation & yellowing. Susceptible to Taxus mealybug, black vine weevil, Taxus scale, yew-gall midge.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. Deer feed heavily on yews.

Suggested Uses

Used for hedges, shade gardens, topiary, screens, & foundation plantings.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA