English Yew (Taxus baccata)
Identifying Features
Plant Family: Taxaceae
Native Range: Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Leaf: evergreen, spirally arranged, appears to be 2-ranked on horizontal shoots and on heavily shaded parts of the plant, dark green above and yellow-green beneath with prominent midrib
Twig and Bud: new stems green, becoming red-brown as they mature
Flower, Fruit and Seed: flower dioecious (male and female flower on separate plants), seed olive-brown and encased in a fleshy, red, berry-like structure called an aril
Bark: reddish-brown, thin and scaly
Shape and Mature Height: tree or shrub-like, wide spreading, densely branched, 30-60 feet
Garden Value and Considerations
English yew needs well-drained soils and full sun to part shade. It prefers a mild climate without temperature extremes. English yew has many uses in the landscape and can withstand heavy pruning. Its dark green foliage offers year-round interest and is especially noteworthy when contrasted with the red fruits on female plants.
Notes
Birds feed on the fruits, but nearly all parts of the plant are poisonous to people and domestic animals.