Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) is a yew tree species native to Japan, Korea, and China. Come in all sizes, the japanese yew yields bright red berries and has bright green leaves, making it a popular holiday decoration. This plant is toxic to humans. Birds such as waxwing, thrushes, and cardinals use the plant as shelter.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Taxus cuspidata, the Japanese yew or spreading yew, is a member of the genus Taxus, native to Japan, Korea, northeast China and the extreme southeast of Russia.
It is an evergreen tree or large shrub growing to 10–18 m tall, with a trunk up to 60 cm diameter. The leaves are lanceolate, flat, dark green, 1–3 cm long and 2–3 mm broad, arranged spirally on the stem, but with the leaf bases twisted to align the leaves in two flattish rows either side of the stem except on erect leading shoots where the spiral arrangement is more obvious.

The seed cones are highly modified, each cone containing a single seed 4–8 mm long partly surrounded by a modified scale which develops into a soft, bright red berry-like structure called an aril, 8–12 mm long and wide and open at the end. The arils are mature 6–9 months after pollination. Individual trees from Sikhote-Alin are known to have been 1,000 years old.
The entire yew bush, except the aril (the red flesh of the berry covering the seed), is toxic due to a group of chemicals called taxine alkaloids. Their cardiotoxicity is well known and act via calcium and sodium channel antagonism, causing an increase in cytoplasmic calcium currents of the myocardial cells. The seeds contains the highest concentrations of these alkaloids. If any leaves or seeds of the plant are ingested, urgent medical advice is recommended, as well as observation for at least 6 hours after the point of ingestion.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The japanese yew can grow in any environment from full shade to full sun, though it seem to thrive slightly better in partial shade with small amounts of direct sunshine. The younger the Japanese yew, the more it will be negatively affected by harsh sunlight and temperatures. If the japanese yew grows in full shade without much access to direct sunlight, its growth will be affected. This will cause it to grow even slower than usual, while it will remain generally healthy otherwise.
Temperature and Humidity
While the hardiness zone can vary from the English yew to the Japanese one, both cannot tolerate extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. Please provide them with a sheltered spot to protect them from strong winds in winter.
You may find that your yews can get winter burn, and these shrubs can also suffer from hot weather to humidity.
Watering

The Japanese yew prefers moist soil and is drought-tolerant for a short while. For young plants during the first year, water them well to help the roots become established. Older plants can go without watering and only need moisture during dry periods if natural rainfall is absent.
Soil
These bushes are hardy and thrive in different soil conditions, but most importantly, provide them with well-drained soil when planting in the ground. So, you can provide the Japanese yew with loamy soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline with a pH level of 5.0 to 8.0.
Even in clay, it thrives, but we still recommend amending it to provide good drainage.
Fertilizing
The Japanese yew does not demand regular fertilizing, and you should not use a fertilizer until at least a year after planting. Fertilizing once a year with a conifer or fir fertilizer is enough, although you can also water your japanese yew with limey water to encourage your plant to flourish. When fertilizing, it is important to water thoroughly afterward to spread the fertilizer further, allowing the roots to better absorb the nutrients. The best time to fertilize your japanese yew is in the spring after the last frost, when your japanese yew enters the growing season.
Planting Instructions
When planting your japanese yew, leave a little space between each plant. For wide-growing varieties, leave a distance of at least 2 m. For more narrow-growing species, a gap of around 40 cm will be sufficient. Soak the root ball in water for 24 hours and dig a hole that is twice as deep and three times as wide as the root ball. To reduce the risk of your japanese yew becoming waterlogged, you could add in a 3 to 5 cm layer of gravel before putting your japanese yew in the hole. Fill the hole and thread it down thoroughly before watering generously. Keep the soil wet but not waterlogged in the following few weeks.
The ideal time for planting the japanese yew is either spring or fall. If planting in the spring, be sure that there is no chance of frost – this can harm the plant in the early stages before it is well-established. If planting in the fall, then plant as early as possible – this will give the japanese yew time to develop strong roots before the oncoming winter.
Pruning

The japanese yew is very hardy when it comes to pruning, and, because of this, it is commonly used in creating topiary. The best time to prune is toward the beginning of spring or at the end of summer. If you choose to prune your japanese yew at the beginning of spring, then this will encourage faster growth, making it a popular option for younger plants. Don’t prune the top of your japanese yew unless it has already reached your desired height, as it is unlikely to regain its height very quickly. Prune your Japanese yew once or twice a year by snipping a little on all sides until you have the desired shape. Wear gloves when pruning as most parts of the Japanese yew are poisonous.
Propagation
You can take cuttings to grow new trees, from the European yew or Japanese one, no matter what species you have. You can use the seed found in the berry, but it does take years to germinate.
- Please take a few six-inch cuttings from your Japanese yew in late summer, or do it in early fall.
- Take cuttings from the softwood portions choosing strong upright shoots.
- Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone and place it in a pot with sand and good drainage.
- Keep the sand moist until new growth appears and place them in bright light.
- Keep examining the plant for root development and if it has a root system doing the following.
- Fill pots with potting medium and water them well, allowing excess water to drain from the container.
- Place the rooted cuttings into the potting medium and allow them to grow until big enough to transplant to the garden.
How to Grow from Seed
Growing yews from seeds can take years, and you will need to store the seed in a potting medium in the freezer for up to ten months. You will need to keep checking on them to see if they sprout. Once the seed germinates, you can plant them and tend to them as a seedling in pots.
You can transplant them outside when big enough, but it can take years.
Potting and Repotting

Yes are similar to most of their evergreen counterparts and look beautiful in containers. You can keep them in pots in some climates year-round. But these species do tend to grow slower, grown in pots. You can place them as a statement piece along a walkway or entryway.
Preferably choose a terracotta pot with good drainage and well-drained soil. Keep them wet throughout the year but not soggy. When fall arrives, you can provide potted plants with partial shade in a secure spot to protect them from the cold.
Overwintering
Yews can tolerate most climates when it comes to the cold. But to help retain the needle color, water your plant well in the fall until the ground freezes up. To prevent winter burn, it helps to place your yews on the north-facing side of the home in the garden.
Pests and Diseases
Yews are susceptible to different sapsuckers, including scale and mealybugs. These bugs overwinter in the shrub, and the nymphs emerge in spring to feed on the foliage.
If you notice yellow branches to needle loss and dieback, it can result from these pests. The best way to control these pests is to remove them with a spray of water using a hose. Then remove the older foliage that has deteriorated.
Or spot treats the plants with a 70% isopropyl alcohol diluted with water but test it on a small piece of foliage first. The Japanese yew is not bothered by diseases.
III. Uses and Benefits

The evergreen japanese yew is most commonly pruned to a narrow conical shape, used in topiary landscapes. Gardeners who prefer to allow more natural growth lines must leave room for its broad spread. Delightfully, it can create a natural Christmas tree visual with its green needles and shiny red fruit. Companion plants included Irises, Lilacs, and Roses.