English Yew

English yew is an evergreen conifer native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. It typically grows 30-60 ft tall with dark green foliage, bright red fleshy arils, and yellow flowers. This slow-growing tree has a dense, erect form with fine-textured needles and reddish-brown bark.

English yew tolerates part shade and well-drained to dry soils with a pH of 5.4-7.8. It is hardy in zones 4a-9b and performs well with low maintenance in most temperate climates. All parts except the arils are highly toxic. It is notably shade-tolerant and long-lived, making it valuable for structure in mature landscapes.

English yew is the shade champion of the Puget Sound lowlands. No other evergreen of comparable size tolerates deep shade as well. Growth is extremely slow (plan in decades, not years), the foliage is fine-textured and dark, and the plant lives for centuries. Two diseases and seven pests are documented, which is remarkably clean for our region. Root weevil is the most common pest, feeding on roots at night. The critical safety note: all parts except the fleshy red aril around the seed are lethally toxic to humans and livestock. This is not a casual toxicity warning; yew poisoning kills quickly and there is no antidote. Site accordingly, especially if children or livestock are present. For hedging, screening, and topiary in shade, yew is unmatched. It prefers well-drained soil but tolerates heavier lowland soils if not waterlogged.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist