Taxus baccata - English Yew  - €13 per plant​

In British folklore, Yew is associated with immortality and death and is well known for its association with and places of burial, found in many if not all churchyards in the UK. It's a slow growing and long living tree, that can tolerate shade and grow quite happily in the lower canopy, or also doing well as a stand alone tree. Takes very well to pruning and is often shaped into pyramidal or round shaped crowns. A great wildlife tree with durable wood that is highly valued in crafting and furniture making. To order this plant please email [email protected]

Context

  • native region: Britain,Europe, Scandanavia , N. Africa, the Caucasus, Iran, Himalayas and the United States.
  • native habitat: Woods and scrub, usually on limestone. 
  • family: Taxaceae

Predators

  • Several birds eat the yew berries.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun, partial shade or full shade
  • soil pH: Acid-neutral -basic  -  alkaline and can grow in very acidic or alkaline soils 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 - 7
  • Prefers dry or moist soil
  • Can tolerate drought
  • Tolerates strong winds
  • Tolerates atmospheric pollution

Known hazards 

  • All parts of the plant, except the flesh of the fruit, are highly poisonous, having a paralyzing effect on the heart

Overview

  • Evergreen Tree growing to 15 m by 10 m at a slow rate.
  • It is in flower from March - April, and the seeds ripen from September to November.
  • The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required)and is pollinated by wind.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and can grow in very heavy (clay) soils
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acidic and very alkaline soils.
  • It prefers moist or dry soil.
  • Can tolerate strong wind but not maritime exposure

Characteristics

  • form: Evergreen Tree   
  • layer: Lower canopy 
  • habit: Distinctive trunk, dense branching 
  • height: 15m

Products 

  • Leaves: Straight, small, waxy needles with a pointed tip, coloured dark green above and greyish below. They grow in two rows on either side of each twig. 
  • Flowers: Male flowers are small, white-yellow and globe like. Female flowers are bud shaped and scaly, green when young but becoming brown with maturity.
  • Seeds: Each seed is enclosed in a red, fleshy, berry-like structure known as an aril which is open at the tip.
  • Wood: Yew wood was historically important, finding use in the Middle Ages in items such as musical instruments, furniture, and longbows. The species was felled nearly to extinction in much of Europe. In the modern day it is not considered a commercial crop due to its very slow growth, but it is valued for hedging and topiary.
  • Medicinal: Significant history in cancer prevention but thorough research needed due to toxicity levels.


Functions, behaviours

  • It is noted for attracting wildlife.
  • Makes excellent evergreen hedge, tolerating pruning well.
  • ​​The fruit is produced mainly on the undersides of one-year old branches
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project