English Yew

English Yew is an evergreen conifer celebrated for its incredible longevity and unparalleled versatility. Characterized by its dense, dark-green needle-like foliage and spreading habit that can reach 30 to 50 feet over many decades, this tree is the gold standard for creating formal structures in the garden. It is the premier choice for precision topiary and formal hedging due to its slow growth and ability to recover from heavy pruning. Its striking red berry-like arils provide a beautiful color contrast against the dark needles in autumn, adding aristocratic flair. English Yew is one of the few evergreens that thrives in deep shade while maintaining its lush density and It is extraordinarily long-lived, often surviving for centuries as a permanent garden anchor. Its tight, needle-rich branches offer year-round privacy screen and windbreak. Growers love English Yew for bringing classic European sophistication to their home.

Also Known As: English Yew, Common Yew, European Yew, Tree of Death, Immortal Tree, If commun, Tejo, Gemeine Eibe, Tasso, Ancient Yew, Evergreen Hedge Yew,Taxus Baccata.

Plant Name:	Yew, English
Latin Name:	Taxus baccata
Days to Germinate:	14-28
Plant Height:	30 - 60 Feet
Spread:	15 - 25 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	5-8
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2026

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 10 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: Seeds require warm, moist stratification followed by cold, moist stratification to break dormancy. To warm-stratify seeds, lightly moisten a mix of peat or sand and place the seeds inside a sealed plastic bag with the medium. Keep the seeds in a warm spot (around 70F-86F / 20C-30C) for 90-210 days. Check periodically to ensure the medium stays damp but not soggy. After the warm period, move the mixture to a refrigerator for the cold stratification, keeping the seeds at 35F-40F for 60-120 days. After the stratification period,sow seeds in small pots with moist potting soil and in a warm, sunny location that is at least 65F, keeping the soil moist, or directly sow outdoors in prepared soil.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, first soak seeds for 24 hours then plant in late spring in a sunny location. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 5-6 feet apart down the rows of raised beds for a screen, or spaced 2-3 feet apart for a hedge. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-20 inches for hedge or 5-6 feet for screen
Between-Row Spacing:	10 feet

Care During the Season:

English Yew requires minimal care and can thrive with moisture management and protection. In Spring, perform your primary pruning or shearing just as the new growth begins to emerge to maintain its crisp, formal shape, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support its slow but steady development. During the Summer, focus on deep, infrequent watering during extended dry periods, ensuring the soil drains thoroughly between sessions to prevent root rot, which is the yew's primary weakness. As Fall approaches, monitor the tree for its decorative red arils and ensure it receives adequate moisture before the first frost to protect the needles from winter desiccation. In Winter, the English Yew is exceptionally cold-hardy, but it is wise to shake off heavy, wet snow accumulation to prevent the dense branches from splaying or breaking, ensuring its architectural silhouette remains intact for the start of the next season.