The European yew (Taxus baccata) is a legendary tree that the ancient Celts said had a connection to the realm of spirits. That's why the dark coniferous trees are often found in cemeteries. But does it make sense to plant a yew tree in your garden?
Is the yew suitable for the garden?
The yew (Taxus baccata) has many uses in the garden, for example as a hedge plant or solitary tree. It is particularly suitable for damp, shady areas and is undemanding, easy to care for and hardy. Caution is advised around children and pets as all parts of the plant are poisonous.
Can you plant yew in the garden?
Of course you can plant the yew in the garden! The native tree can be used in many ways, for example as
- hedge plant
- Solitary tree
- Topiary tree
- potted plant
- Groundcover
Yew trees not only tolerate pruning very well, but also cope excellently with difficult soils and shady locations. Ideal if you can hardly plant any other plants in these garden spots. In any case, the plant particularly likes moist and shady locations.
The dark, soft needles give the tree a mystical appearance, while the bright red fruits are attractive in autumn and also provide food for songbirds.
Why should you plant yew in the garden?
First of all, the yew tree offers many advantages in terms of gardening. She is:
- very cut-friendly
- robust and not very susceptible to disease
- shade tolerant
- well suited for difficult locations
- good for topiary
- offers dense privacy as a yew hedge
- undemanding and easy to care for
- hardy
It is also a native tree that offers protection and food to wild animals such as birds - many other popular conifers (e.g. thuja or cherry laurel) should be viewed very critically in this regard.
When should you avoid using yew in the garden?
But be careful: Even though many birds like to snack on the red berries of the yew tree, it's better to stay away from them. All parts of the plant are highly toxic to humans and pets, particularly the needles and seeds. Just a few seeds or needles can be fatal!
That's why you should ban the yew from a garden with (small) children and / or pets. Eating plant parts can be fatal, especially for horses, cattle, sheep and goats, but also small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs), dogs and cats.
What location does a yew tree need?
A big advantage of the yew, however, is that it grows in almost any location due to its undemanding nature. The conifer feels most comfortable in a location that
- partially shaded to shady
- moist
- with loose, nutrient-rich soil
- and neutral pH value
is, but can also be placed in full sun. However, you should ensure there is an adequate supply of water, especially in the summer months. Furthermore, the yew tree thrives on both sandy and loamy substrates, but it should not be too dry - the soil should not dry out or be too wet. The yew tree also doesn't get waterlogged.
How do I plant yew trees in the garden?
It is best to plant the yew in the garden in spring. The ice saints (and with them the risk of late frosts!) should already be over, but the great summer heat has not yet set in. A nice day in early autumn is also good.
If possible, choose a day with an overcast sky and add plenty of compost to the yew tree's planting hole. In this way, it is already supplied with plenty of nutrients to get started and can grow he althily. Furthermore, you should not neglect to water the newly planted tree deeply.
Tip
Make sure there is sufficient planting distance
Yew trees grow very slowly, but can nevertheless become very tall and wide. Therefore, when planting a hedge, plan a maximum of three yew trees per meter and also leave about one meter of space in front of and behind the hedge.