Japanese Yew

Taxus cuspidata

Taxaceae · coniferous tree · introduced

Last updated April 25, 2026

Japanese yew is an evergreen conifer native to Japan, Korea, Manchuria, and parts of China. It reaches 65 ft and has green foliage, red arils, and reddish-brown bark. The plant exhibits an erect, single-crown form with medium-textured needles and yellow flowers.

Japanese yew is hardy in zones 4a-8b and prefers part shade with well-drained soil (pH 5.4-7.8). Growth is slow with low maintenance requirements. It tolerates heavy shade, rabbits, and drought stress, making it adaptable to various landscape conditions. Like other yews, all parts except the arils are poisonous.

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

65 ft

Spread

32 ft

Growth Rate

Slow

Size at 20 yr

30 ft

Lifespan

Moderate

Site Requirements

Light

Part Shade

Soil Drainage

Well Drained

Soil pH

5.4-7.8

Water

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Medium

Hardiness

Zones 4a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Fall Color

Brown

Origin

Japan, Korea

Lecanium scaleModerate

Spring Feeding & Egg Production

Root weevilModerate

Adult Emergence & Foliar Feeding

Diseases: Regionally Documented (2)

Sirococcus conigenus, S Needle Blight Symptom category — not a single disease Root Rot

Pests: Regionally Documented (5)

Pulvinaria floccifera Cottony camellia scale Brevipalpus spp. False spider mite Parthenolecanium spp. Lecanium scale Otiorhynchus spp. Root weevil Physokermes piceae Spruce bud scale

Phenological Calendar

View full calendar (5 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
New growth flush BBCH 11	Feb 15-Mar 15	Lighter-colored new growth visible at branch tips
Pollen release BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	Male pollen cones visible; pollen shed (yellow)
Pollen shed complete BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Male structures have shed pollen
Aril development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fleshy red aril forming around seed on female plants
Aril maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Arils bright red, fully mature, seeds mature

Cultivars (5)

'Amersfoort'

Common name: Amersfoort Yew

Hardy to USDA Zone 6

'Capitata Aurea'

Common name: Golden Japanese Yew

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Cross Spreading'

Common name: Cross Spreading Japanese Yew; Mature height: 3–4 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Dwarf Bright Gold'

Common name: Dwarf Bright Gold Japanese Yew; Mature height: 2–4 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Emerald Spreader'

Common name: Emerald Spreader Japanese Yew; Mature height: 8–10 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.