European Yew, Common Yew (Taxus baccata)
The European Yew grows to medium height, has dark green needles and is readily pruned to any shape. The wood is heavy, hard and durable. All parts except the fleshy red fruit cups are extremely poisonous.
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Appearance
The European Yew grows to medium height, has dark green needles and is readily pruned to any shape. The wood is heavy, hard and durable. All parts except the fleshy red fruit cups are extremely poisonous.
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Leaves
Slightly sickle-shaped needles, 1-3.5cm long, 0.2-0.3cm wide. Needles arranged in two rows. Dark green above, pale green below.
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Leaf upperside
Slightly sickle-shaped needles, 1-3.5cm long, 0.2-0.3cm wide. Needles arranged in two rows. Dark green above, pale green below.
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Leaf underside
Slightly sickle-shaped needles, 1-3.5cm long, 0.2-0.3cm wide. Needles arranged in two rows. Dark green above, pale green below.
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Flowers
Flowering period III-IV, inconspicuous, greenish female flower, yellowish male flower.
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Fruits
Carmine red seed with aril, broadly elliptical, up to 1cm long. Fleshy aril, ovate seed, flattened.
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Bark
Reddish-brown bark, grey-brown when older, peeling off in large strips.
Poisonousness
The needles and seeds contain high concentrations of taxin. The flesh of the fruit is not toxic. Detoxification is recommended if any needles or more than two chewed seeds are consumed.
Application
Open country, afforestation, open fields, screening, noise abatement, wind-break, parks, roadside verges, car parks, pedestrian precincts, backyards, topiaries, private parks, gardens, front gardens
Native regions
Central Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Turkey, North Africa
Location parameters
Light: full sun to extremely shady, temperature: warm to cool, soil: fresh to moist, soil structure: normal, soil depth: medium to deep, soil quality: medium, pH value: 5.5 to 8.0, nutrient concentration: low to high
Demands
Sun to half-shade; tolerates warmth; usually frost-hardy; moderately dry to moist, thrives in high humidity; prone to attack by weevils in dry air, heat or soil with high humus concentration; tolerates urban climates; tolerates pruning.
Growth
Height of growth: 10m to 20m, spread: 5m to 10m, normal growth potential, growth habits: wide, irregular, bushy, upright, protruding, spreading, good stem-builder, often multi-stemmed, trailing
Leaves
Slightly sickle-shaped needles, 1-3.5cm long, 0.2-0.3cm wide. Needles arranged in two rows. Dark green above, pale green below.
Flowers
Flowering period III-IV, inconspicuous, greenish female flower, yellowish male flower.
Fruits
Carmine red seed with aril, broadly elliptical, up to 1cm long. Fleshy aril, ovate seed, flattened.
Bark
Reddish-brown bark, grey-brown when older, peeling off in large strips.
Roots
Deep-rooting, fine root system, dense network of roots.