lime foliage and stems

yew

Taxus baccata 'Stove Pipe'

The yew (Taxus baccata 'Stove Pipe') is an evergreen tree known for its iconic and widely recognizable shape. This species is slow-growing, yet long-living with a life expectancy of up to 5,000 years. Its foliage is dense and composed of dark green needles. The yew is known for its dark bark and reddish brown 'stove pipe' shoots which come from the tree in its early years. The yew is very adaptable and tolerant of air pollution. It's easily maintained, requiring only pruning in the springtime. This classic plant has been used for centuries in many different landscapes and remains an important symbol today.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Seed Propagation,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 7

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Yew (Taxus baccata 'Stove Pipe') should be watered sufficiently and regularly to sustain healthy growth. Young yew plants require more frequent watering than mature plants. It is important to water a yew once a week during the summer months. It would be best to thoroughly soak the soil until moisture reaches about 2 inches deep into the soil. During cooler months, watering every 2 to 3 weeks should suffice, taking care to check the soil moisture if the conditions become dryer than normal. If puddles form at the base of the plant and water runs down the plant stem, it is time to reduce the watering frequency. Over-watering will lead to poor growth and possibly death of the plant.

sunlight

Yew (Taxus baccata 'Stove Pipe') should be grown in an area that receives full sun exposure for at least 4-5 hours a day. Yews are shade tolerant plants, however, too much shade may lead to weakness and foliage loss. The most ideal time for this plant species to receive sunlight is from late morning to mid-afternoon. Yews should be planted in locations that receive morning sun, without any late afternoon sun as this type of sunlight can cause damage to the foliage.

pruning

Yew (Taxus baccata 'Stove Pipe') requires light pruning from late winter to early spring. Pruning should be done before new growth begins in the spring. When pruning, only trim away a few of the oldest branches each year to maintain the natural shape and remove any dead or diseased branches. Pruning should happen in small amounts so that you do not remove too much and shock the plant. Removal of too much of the foliage can lead to an imbalance in the yew's shape and health. If significant pruning is necessary, always make sure to prune in small amounts over a few years to prevent damage to the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Yews typically start flowering in April or May.

Hardiness Map