Japanese Yew

Taxus cuspidata

Japanese Yew is an evergreen conifer used for hedges screens and specimen plantings. It has dense dark green foliage and red arils on female plants and is toxic if ingested.

Key Facts

  • Evergreen conifer commonly used as hedge plants and specimen shrubs.
  • Dark green flat needles on dense branching.
  • Female plants produce red berry-like arils that surround the seed.
  • All parts except the fleshy aril are toxic to people and animals.
  • Tolerates heavy pruning and shaping.
  • Slow to moderate growth rate and long lived.
  • Performs best in moist well drained soils and partial shade.

Japanese Yew is an evergreen conifer used for hedges screens and specimen plantings. It has dense dark green flat needles and female plants produce red berry like arils while most other parts are poisonous.

Identification

Dark green flat needles grow on dense branching and give the plant a formal texture suitable for clipping. Female plants produce red arils that surround the seed. Height and spread vary by form and pruning from about 3 to 40 feet 1 to 12 meters depending on cultivar and maintenance. Growth is slow to moderate and plants are long lived.

Best uses and where to grow

Use as a clipped hedge a privacy screen or a shaded foundation specimen. Japanese Yew performs best in USDA zones 4 to 7 and prefers moist well drained soils. It tolerates clay and drier soils once established and does well in partial shade. In hot climates provide afternoon shade to reduce heat stress.

Planting and spacing

Spacing depends on the intended use and the cultivar. Allow roughly 3 to 20 feet 1 to 6 meters between plants for mature habit or hedged rows depending on how tightly you will prune. Confirm mature size for the specific cultivar before final placement.

Soil and watering

Plant in fertile well drained soil and avoid poorly drained or waterlogged sites which lead to root rot. Mulch and organic matter help retain moisture while improving drainage. Established plants tolerate drier conditions better than young transplants.

Pruning and maintenance

This species tolerates heavy pruning and shaping so it is commonly maintained as a smaller hedge or clipped specimen. Flowers are inconspicuous and not an ornamental feature. Female arils ripen in late summer to autumn so expect fruit on female plants at that time in most climates.

Propagation

Semi hardwood cuttings and layering are commonly used to produce true to type plants. Seed is possible but slow and variable and often requires cold stratification. Cuttings are preferred for named cultivars where cloning is required.

Toxicity and safety

All parts except the fleshy aril are toxic to people and animals. The seed inside the red aril is poisonous and ingestion of foliage or seeds can cause severe cardiac symptoms and can be fatal. Keep plants and pruning debris away from pets livestock and children and wear gloves when handling or pruning.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Japanese Yew grow?
It has a slow to moderate growth rate depending on site and cultivar.
What USDA zones is Japanese Yew hardy in?
Japanese Yew is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 7.
Are Japanese Yew berries poisonous?
The red aril flesh is less toxic but the seed inside is poisonous so the fruit should be treated as hazardous to people and animals.
Can Japanese Yew be used as a hedge?
Yes it tolerates heavy pruning and shaping and is commonly used for hedges and screens but spacing depends on cultivar and desired final size.
When do the red arils appear?
Female plants produce red arils that typically ripen in late summer to autumn with pollen cones produced in spring.

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