Japanese Yew
Taxus cuspidata · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Taxaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shrub, Hedge, Foundation Plant
Variety / Cultivar
Nana (Compact Japanese Yew)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, tolerating cold winter temperatures and adapting well to varied urban conditions.
About This Tree
Dense, slow-growing evergreen shrub featuring a naturally rounded, spreading, or mounding growth habit. It responds exceptionally well to heavy shearing and topiary, making it a popular choice for formal hedges, foundation plantings, and landscape accents.
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like leaves that are linear, flat, about half an inch to an inch long, dark green on the upper surface with paler yellowish-green or grey-green undersides, arranged spirally on twigs but often twisted to appear in two flat ranks.
Bark Characteristics
Reddish-brown to purplish-brown bark that exfoliates in thin, papery flakes or strips as the plant matures, revealing a smoother reddish inner bark.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Japan, Korea, and Northeast China; widely adapted and cultivated in temperate regions worldwide.
Growing Season
Evergreen growth cycle remaining green year-round; active stem and needle elongation occurs primarily in spring through mid-summer; pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to full shade; requires moderate watering during establishment and prefers well-drained soils as it is highly sensitive to root rot from standing water, though it has moderate drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 3 to 6 feet in height with a spread of 6 to 12 feet when unpruned, featuring a slow to moderate growth rate and a long lifespan.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional tolerance to heavy pruning and urban pollution, highly versatile for landscaping, though all parts of the plant (except the fleshy aril) are toxic if ingested due to taxine alkaloids.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense year-round shelter and nesting cover for small birds and mammals; seed arils are occasionally eaten by certain birds, though foliage is generally avoided by deer in some areas due to toxicity.