How to Grow and Care for English Yew

English yew (Taxus baccata), whose common names include the common yew or European yew, is a type of evergreen conifer tree endemic to certain parts of Europe, Northern Africa, and certain parts of Asia. These evergreen perennial trees can grow anywhere from thirty to sixty feet tall, with trunks covered in reddish-brown scaly bark, and branches that grow dark green, needle-like leaves. They also produce tiny white flowers (if female) or small yellow flowers (if male).

Like other yews, English yew sprouts seed cones of bright red berries resembling pitted olives, with their single seed containing a high level of toxin that can be fatal. Yew’s leaves are also toxic, so you should avoid planting them in places that are accessible to pets and children. Other common yew cultivars are derived from either the English yew or Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata).

There are a few different varieties of English yew that grow naturally in the wild and can be planted at home. Some different types of English yew trees and shrubs include the following.

1. 1. Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’): The Irish yew is an evergreen tree that can grow up to thirty feet high and eight feet wide. This yew tree has brownish-purple bark and grey, with pointy, needle-like green leaves.
2. 2. Spreading English yew (Taxus baccata 'repandens'): The spreading English yew is a dwarf variety of yew shrub with a wide, eight-foot spread. The branchlets grow low and loose with a maximum height of four feet.
3. 3. Golden spreading yew (Taxus baccata 'repandens aurea'): This cultivar of English yew grows densely and low to the ground (between one and two feet), and has pointy, greenish-yellow leaves with a wide spreading habit.
4. 4. Standish yew (Taxus baccata 'standishii'): This evergreen shrub is a compact variety of English yew. It forms narrow columns between four and five feet tall and has a spread of up to two feet.
5. 5. Amersfoort yew (Taxus baccata 'Amersfoort'): This variety of English yew is another dwarf variety, growing between five and eight feet tall. Amersfoort is tolerant of full shade and has an especially slow growth rate.

Like other evergreen shrubs and trees, English yews should not be planted during the extreme temperatures that come with winter and summer. Plant English yews in the early spring after the last frost, or in early fall so they have time to take root before the next frost. They often grow well in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 7.

Growing English yew from seed requires a number of very specific steps that must be followed to the letter. For this reason, it is recommended to plant English yew from softwood cuttings. Here is a guide on how to plant English yew in a pot from a branch cutting.

1. 1. Obtain a cutting. Use a sharp, sterile cutting tool to snip a new branch that measures between four and six inches long off of an English yew tree. Remove all the leaves from the bottom of the cutting. Make sure to wear gloves when you’re handling the cutting because of the toxic leaves and seeds.
2. 2. Make a hole in your potting medium. Use a pencil or stick your finger into a pot containing a mixture of sandy soil and compost to make a planting hole. The hole should be deep enough to fit half of the cutting.
3. 3. Root the cutting. Place your cutting into the planting hole so that half the branch is covered. Fill in the rest of the planting hole with soil so that the cutting remains upright, but avoid packing it down tightly. Water your cutting and keep it in a bright room with indirect sunlight.
4. 4. Transplant your plants. Yews can remain in their containers, or they can be transplanted to another site that receives either full sun or partial shade. If you want to transplant your yew outside, dig a hole that is at least twice the diameter and depth of the original container. Carefully dig your yew branch out of its original planter keeping the root system intact, and brush away some of the outer soil, then place it in the hole. Backfill the hole while holding the cutting upright, then pack in the soil and water thoroughly.

Once English yew is established, it is a low-maintenance plant that can survive for years. Follow these tips to make sure your English yew plant thrives.

1. 1. Water frequently. After you have planted your yew, water it at least once a week, tapering down waterings during the winter.
2. 2. Prune occasionally. Trim back your English yews in the early spring or late winter, making sure to adhere to the natural shape of your yew. Snipping the tops will help slow its growth considerably, but avoid pruning your tree below the green needles.
3. 3. Fertilize once a year. Mature English yews won’t need to be fertilized as frequently. However, you will need to cover yews that are still establishing themselves with a layer of compost or organic matter to provide the soil with nutrients.
4. 4. Look out for pests or diseases. Yew is hardy against most pests and diseases, though certain fungi or nematodes can cause root rot. Scrape off any insects (or their eggs) using a clean, sharp tool, and put up protective netting to keep your trees and shrubs safe from deer.
5. 5. Wear gloves. If you plan on handling the fruits or seeds from the yew plant, be sure to wear protective gloves, because the seeds contain a toxin that can be harmful to humans and pets. High consumption of these seeds can cause yew poisoning, so completely remove them from the fruit if you’re using them for food.

The leaves and seeds of English yew are highly poisonous and contain toxins that can lead to cardiac arrest and death in humans and pets. Avoid planting English yew in places that children or pets may have access to.

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