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Home > Yew > Japanese Yew

Japanese Yew

The Japanese yew is a highly sought after ornamental shrub native to Japan, Korea, and some other countries in the region. It is very tolerant to pruning and is ideal for use as a hedge, backdrop for a garden, and in its native regions, particularly Japan as a bonsai tree.

Japanese Yew

Japanese Yew

Dwarf Japanese Yew

Dwarf Japanese Yew

Japanese Yew Tree

Japanese Yew Tree

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Taxaceae
Genus Taxus
Scientific Name Taxus cuspidata
Emerald Spreader Japanese Yew

Emerald Spreader Japanese Yew

Japanese Plum Yew

Japanese Plum Yew

Japanese Yew Shrub

Japanese Yew Shrub

Quick Information

Also known as Spreading Yew, Upright Yew (in the United States), Spreading Japanese Plum Yew, Ichi-i (in Japanese)
Similar to English Yew
Size A variety of sizes; dwarf Japanese Yew hardly grows taller than about 2.5 feet; an upright Japanese Yew may grow more than 50 feet
Leaves (Needles) Lanceolate, flat and of dark green color; 1-3 cm in length and 2-3 cm broad; arranged spirally on the stem
Flowers Form on the previous years’ wood, blooming between March and April; dioecious in nature and insignificant in adding to the plant’s ornamental qualities
Fruits Toxins called Taxine A and B are present; can be fatally poisonous to dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and humans
Tree Type Evergreen
Distribution/Range Japan, Korea, Northeast China and the extreme southeastern regions of Russia; also found in North America
Hardiness Zone 4
Lifespan If undisturbed, it can live for many centuries
Growth Rate Moderate
Growing Conditions Winter Conditions – Does not do well in extreme cold and snow

Summer Conditions – Best place for a Japanese yew during summer is one with morning sun and afternoon shade

Soil – Any well-drained soil, whether acidic or alkaline

Sunlight – Tolerant of full sun, part sun or part shade; trees tend to grow slowly when in the shade

Watering – Needs a moderate amount of precipitation

Diseases/Pests
  • Scales
  • Phytophthora root rot disease
  • Black vine weevil
  • Mealybugs
  • Root-knot nematodes
Flowering Season Spring
Seed Production A hard seed, covered by a red berry-like formation called an aril, which ripens between September and November
Seedling Development Seeds germinate easily but slowly
Wildlife Value Attracts white-tailed deer, cardinals, waxwings, and thrushes, which like to devour the poisonous berries
Cultivars
  • Aurescens
  • Capitata or Pyramidal Japanese Yew
  • Columnaris
  • Expansa
  • Nana
  • Emerald Spreader Japanese Yew
Uses Its wood is used in making furniture, buildings (in Japan) and arts and sculptures
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Japanese Yew Berries

Japanese Yew Berries

Japanese Yew Bonsai

Japanese Yew Bonsai

Japanese Yew Plant

Japanese Yew Plant

Interesting Facts

  • Astonishingly, the oldest Japanese Yews in the Sikhote-Alin region of Russia are believed to be over 1000 years old.
  • It is one of the most durable of trees, impervious to pollution and bad weather that other coniferous trees may not be able to withstand.
Japanese Yew Bush

Japanese Yew Bush

Japanese Yew Hedge

Japanese Yew Hedge

References:

  1. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/taxus-cuspidata/
  2. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/yew-problems
  3. https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/552060
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus_cuspidata

Published on August 1st 2016 by Sudipto Chakrabarti under Yew.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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