The yew is one of the oldest native conifers. It is robust, easy to care for and can be used both as a single tree and as a hedge. A small guide on how to properly plant the unfortunately poisonous yew.

Yews like sunny locations

Which location is ideal?

A partially shaded location is ideal. Younger yew trees do not tolerate direct sunlight very well and respond with yellow needles. The sun doesn't bother older trees as much.

In shady locations, the growth of the yew slows down. But it also grows quite well here.

What should the soil be like?

The soil may be calcareous. Good water permeability is absolutely necessary, as waterlogging is not tolerated.

When is the best planting time?

Spring is best. Then the yew tree has enough time to settle in at the location. In principle, you can also plant them later if you water them sufficiently afterwards.

What planting distance must be observed?

As a single tree, the planting distance should be at least two meters. Keep a distance of 30 to 50 cm in the hedge.

How is the yew planted correctly?

  • Dig a planting hole (twice the bale width)
  • create drainage
  • Enrich potting soil with compost, lime, horn shavings (32.93€).
  • Water the root ball for 24 hours beforehand
  • Insert yew carefully
  • fill earth
  • tread carefully
  • water well
  • if necessary attach a plant stake

How are yews propagated?

Yews sow themselves. You can grow new trees from the seeds that ripen in the fruit. It is even easier to propagate offshoots from cuttings.

To do this, cut a few shoots of 15 to 20 cm in length in early summer and put them in prepared pots or the desired spot in the garden.

When does the yew bloom?

The yew flowers from March to April. The male flowers are light yellow, female flowers are inconspicuous.

The yew is detached, meaning the tree is either male or female. Only female trees bear fruit in autumn.

It takes about 20 years for the first flower to bloom.

Can a yew be transplanted later?

The older the yew tree is, the more difficult it becomes to dig up the root. Young trees are quite easy to transplant. You should refrain from using older copies.

How poisonous is the yew?

The yew contains taxin, which is highly toxic and can cause serious damage to health and even death. The poison is contained in all parts of the plant except the pulp.

But you can only poison yourself if you eat parts of the yew tree. Children should be kept away from the bright red fruit.

The sap can cause inflammatory reactions on bare skin.

tips

You can also plant a yew in a bucket, as long as it is quite deep and wide. The care in the bucket is not complex. You just need to water and fertilize more frequently for the yew to thrive.

Category:

Trees