Taxus cuspidata

Japanese Yew
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Grows to 10-40' tall & wide. Has grown to 50' in native stands. Form is of an irregular habit, w/ an erect or flattened crown. May grow into a broad or narrow shape, w/ spreading or upright-spreading branches. May be grown as a tree or shrub. Slow growth rate. Yews are among the most ancient of trees, w/ specimens in England, Scotland and Wales in the 4,000-year-old range, w/ a 50' trunk circumference.

Native Range

Native to Japan, Korea & Manchuria. Introduced in 1853.

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, if chewed. Seeds ovoid, 1/3" by 1/6".

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Leaves 1/2-1" long, & 1/12-1/8" wide, on short stalks, mostly not distinctly 2-ranked, upright, V-shaped, somewhat leathery, sharp pointed at the tip, dark green on top, paler beneath, w/ 2 yellowish-green bands. Foliage, if ingested, is very toxic & often deadly to most types of livestock & several other animals (but not deer) due to taxine, which occurs in foliage, bark & seeds. Notable Bark: Bark on old tree-like specimens will have reddish-brown color, exfoliating in scales or longer strips.

Culture and Care

Plant in moist, well-drained, sandy loam, calcareous or acid soil, in sun or shade. Very shade tolerant. Zone 4-7, making it the hardiest & most adaptable yew for the upper Midwest. Must have excellent drainage. Will die in wet, soggy soils. Too much sun and wind may cause yellowish-brown foliage. No serious disease or insect problems.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

It endures the dust and smoke of city atmospheres, withstands any amount of pruning. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. Deer feed heavily on yews.

Suggested Uses

Cultivars often used in foundation plantings, screening, hedges, massing, banks & slopes, bonsai & topiary.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA

The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.

  • Taxus cuspidata // Japanese Yew ("straight species")
    Shrub.
    -- not currently in our collection --

  • Taxus cuspidata 'Adams' // Adams Japanese Yew
    Shrub. A tall, narrow plant. Zone 4-7. Gets 10-25' tall and only 3-9' wide, with a conical, upright to columnar habit, bright green foliage, fruit (seed) w/ red aril surrounding, for full to part sun. May do best in partial shade. Remains full to the base. Used for hedging, screening and foundation planting. Urban tolerant. Relatively fast growing, compared to many yews. Sometimes sold as T.c. 'Columnaris'.
    Bed 15

  • Taxus cuspidata 'Capitata' // Capitata Japanese Yew
    Shrub. Pyramidal shape, unless kept tightly pruned. If not kept tightly sheared or pruned, will commonly grow to 10-25' tall & 5-10' wide, eventually to 40-50' tall. Commonly used in the landscape. Often used as a hedge. Tolerates rabbits, drought & heavy shade. Female plants produce abundant fruits that attract songbirds.
    Bed 15