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.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Taxaceae
Genus	Taxus
Scientific Name	Taxus cuspidata

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

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.

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