Mad About Yew Trees
by: Liz Roberts

Yew trees are classic additions to any garden. They have been around since ancient times and have been celebrated both in history and literature. These Ice Age relics compliment any modern yard. They add not only class but also classicism.

The European or common yew(taxus baccata) is usually found in Northern climates. They have been growing in parts of England, Scandinavia and Germany for almost three thousand years.(in fact one English county boasts of a two thousand year old yew). Yews have been adaptable in New England as well as the Pacific Northwest. They are widespread in the Midwest, gracing large yards and college campuses. Sadly enough they don’t take to warm weather states. They are amazingly resilient , holding their own against pollution and smog which makes them the perfect choice for city parks. They can also stand rough salty sea winds which makes them an ideal tree for New England coastal gardens. They are the densest and most elastic of all conifers. Medieval arms makers used yew wood to make long bows and swords. They are sturdy and can survive even the roughest winters.

Yew trees can either be dioecius (being either male or female like the holly tree) or monoecius (having parts of both sexes). If you have a male yew, you’ll notice it flowering in either late winter or early spring however it won’t produce any seeds. Only females or hermaphrodite yews can do that. Seed producing takes place in early September. The seed pulp is used in making laxatives and diuretics. It is the only part of the yew that is not highly toxic. (The bark and wood are, producing taxol – an anti cancer drug now used in treating breast cancer). The yew will produce yellowish green twigs which will later turn deep brownish red, similar to the tree’s bark. Most yews in the Northeast are common or European yews.

Yews can also thrive in the Pacific Northwest, in such areas as Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia. They are known as the Japanese variety (taxus brevifolia).These are magnificent additions to any landscape, their height alone reaches an astonishing sixty feet. Plant these yews in moist soil however they can also thrive in rocky or gravelly locations as well. They can be situated amongst other shade trees. Just remember that overexposure to extreme cold or sun can damage them. The Pacific yews are dioecius however male and females don’t have to be in close proximity of each other for fertilization. Pollen is usually dispersed by wind. As long as there is the other sex within a close range the yew can thrive. To determine the Pacific yew’s sex, look at the underside of the branch sprays. Males will have what is known as stroboli (a kind of stalk) which are like pale yellow buds. These can have anywhere from six to twelve filaments. Females also have stroboli but they are more greenish in color. These will produce a fleshy scarlet cup shaped discs. Newly planted Japanese yews require mulching preferably done in the late Spring. Beds need shading thorough the summer and once again in December. These yews are slow bloomers and will take their time in reaching their full height. Annual growth is around six inches per year. Trunks will grow to have fluting but some yews have plain , smooth ones. Large limbs are common on all them which mean a little more pruning than average. They have dark green needles which grow in a spiral pattern. Unlike its’ common or European cousins, this yew has a purplish colored bark that is paper thin and scaly. The wood itself is hard and fine grained. Japanese yews are usually bug resistant however budworm and Comstock mealybug infestation can destroy branches and trunks. Another enemy is the Asian garden beetle which can be taken care of with insect repellent.

Yews can also be used in bonsai gardens. They can be repotted every three or four years during the start of Spring. If doing this, then use a free draining mix for potting soil. They also have to be fed every two weeks during their growing season. This is also the season to prune them. Do not pinch the blossoms after the Spring or the trees will not produce fruit. Heavy and light branch pruning should be done only in the autumn. To encourage more buds, only pinch out two to three needles in late autumn. Seeds should be sown during this time. They will take two years to grow and the result will most likely be males.These bonsai yews as well as their cousins, the Chinese or plum yews can tolerate direct sunlight but will do better in the shade with indirect light. Bonsai yews are resilient and will not succumb to any diseases except for root rot . Their only insect enemies are is the tortrix moth caterpillar and the yew scale.

Yews are beautiful additions to any garden or yard. They have been celebrated in myth and legend for almost a millennium. It’s time for these ancient beauties to be part of a 21st Century landscape. Plant a yew tree and plant history.