Yew Tree Plant Care

Yew Tree (Taxus baccata) belongs to the Taxaceae family within the Taxus genus. Yew Tree is native to Western, central, and southern Europe, parts of western Asia, Turkey, Caucasus region. Yew Tree is also known as English Yew, European Yew, Common Yew.

Yew Tree displays a slow growing, compact growth habit, reaching up to 40 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Yew Tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are yellowish-green in color and appear on separate male and female trees, with the male flowers forming in clusters and the female flowers developing into fleshy red arils surrounding the seeds.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Yew Tree every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Yew Tree thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Yew Tree in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Taxus baccata tolerates temperatures of 10–90°F. Yew Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Yew Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Yew Tree every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Yew Tree is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 7b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Yew Tree can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 40 ft (12 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Yew Tree while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Yew Tree is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes — evergreens keep losing water through their needles all winter, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Yew Tree can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seed propagation. Similar propagation techniques also apply to japanese yew plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Yew Tree is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Yew Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Yew Tree is native to Western, central, and southern Europe, parts of western Asia, Turkey, Caucasus region.