About Taxus cuspidata
Taxus cuspidata, the Japanese yew, is native to Japan, Korea, northern China and eastern Russia, and belongs to the same family as the European vine. The name ‘cuspidata’ refers to its pointed, slightly sharper needle tip compared to the European species. Japanese yew is distinguished from Taxus baccata by a slightly broader, more spread out growth habit, darker upper needles and a slightly coarser habit. The trunk is reddish-brown, similar to the European yew. The leaves are dark green on top, greenish-yellow on the underside, needle-shaped and present throughout the year. Flowering is inconspicuous, yellow, in early spring. The red aril leaves in autumn are decorative and eaten by birds - the seed is poisonous but the red mantle is not. Growth rate is slow to moderate. A special feature is its excellent winter hardiness: the Japanese yew tolerates extreme cold better than the European species, making it suitable for cold, continental and urban conditions. Drought and wind tolerant. Available at Smits as multi-stemmed from 300/350 cm to 400/450 cm in height and as free growing at 300/350 cm to 350/400 cm.
Application and location
Taxus cuspidata is excellent as a solitary ornamental tree, as a multi-stemmed tree with annual dark green mass and as a shrub for formal landscaping. Slightly more spreading habit than Taxus baccata, but similar uses. Sun, semi-shade or shade on a well-drained soil of loam, clay, sand or lime. Drought and wind tolerant. Excellent winter hardiness, also more extreme than European yew. Attention: poisonous. Suitable for garden, park and urban use.
Do you already know exactly what you need?
Every garden and every greenery project is different. Therefore, at Smits Arboriculture we do not make standard quotations, but we like to look together at what suits your wishes, planning and the character of the project.
