English Yew / Common Yew

Technical-Botanical Sheet

Scientific Name:

Taxus baccata

Common Name:

English Yew / Common Yew

Family:

Taxaceae

Origin:

Europe, North Africa, Western Asia

Main Characteristics:

• Habit: Evergreen tree or shrub with a dense, branched crown; often used for hedging and topiary.
• Size: Can reach 10–20 m in height in nature, but can be kept lower with pruning.
• Leaves: Needle-like, narrow, linear, dark glossy green above and lighter beneath.
• Fruits: Bright red, fleshy arils surrounding the seeds; very ornamental but toxic if ingested.
• Growth: Slow-growing but extremely long-lived, with specimens over 1000 years old.

Cultivation and Care:

• Exposure: Full sun, partial shade or shade; tolerates low-light conditions.
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile, calcareous or clay soils; adaptable to various soil types.
• Hardiness: Very cold-hardy (down to -20°C), tolerates heavy pruning and urban pollution.
• Uses: Formal and informal hedges, borders, topiary, historic gardens, ornamental tree planting.