Pacific yew Plant Care

Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) belongs to the Taxaceae family within the Taxus genus. Pacific yew is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. Pacific yew is also known as Western yew, California nutmeg.

Pacific yew displays a slow-growing evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Pacific yew produces small, inconspicuous flowers followed by red berries.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pacific yew 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.

Pacific yew thrives in full sun to part shade.

Taxus brevifolia tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Pacific yew prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Pacific yew to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pacific yew every 8 months 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 full sun to part shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

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.

Pacific yew can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 Pacific yew 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.

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.

Pacific yew can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. 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.

Pacific yew 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.