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Taxus brevifolia is often confused with:
Taxus chinensis Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Ilex aquifolium Ilex aquifolium
Ilex opaca Ilex opaca
Taxus x media Taxus x media
Taxus brevifolia has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers
Asiatic Garden Beetle

Western Yew Taxus brevifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Taxus baccata ssp. brevifolia
  • Taxus baccatra var. brevifolia
  • Taxus boursieri
  • Taxus lindleyana
Phonetic Spelling
TAKS-us brev-ee-FOH-lee-uh
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Western yew is a woody, needled evergreen tree or shrub in the yew family (Taxaceae). It is native to Alaska and the western United States and can grow 6 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. In the wild, it is found in dense forests, along stream banks, slopes, ravines, coves, and flats. 

The western yew requires partial shade. It prefers moist conditions and good drainage but can tolerate occasional dry spells. The planting space needed depends on the light conditions. When growing in densely forested locations, where a closed canopy exists, it will grow as a tree. In drier, more open spaces, its habit will be more like a shrub. In these instances, it can form broad mats that will grow much wider than tall. It is easy to grow from seed. 

The timber from this tree is heavy, hard, and strong. It is often used for making fence posts, tool handles, and canoe paddles. The bright red fruits that appear on the female yew are a food source for wildlife and the plant is a host for several species of moths. 

Use western yew in a shade garden as an accent or in naturalized or woodland areas as an understory tree. Employ it in the landscape as a barrier or privacy screen. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It may rot from the inside. Needle blight and root disease are diseases that can affect the plant's health. Insect issues include grape mealybug, budworm, and Asiatic garden beetle.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Taxus.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#moth caterpillar host#conifer#shade garden#understory tree#wind tolerant#prickly#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#understory planting#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#understory shrub#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#poisonous to livestock#poisonous if ingested
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#moth caterpillar host#conifer#shade garden#understory tree#wind tolerant#prickly#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#understory planting#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#understory shrub#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#poisonous to livestock#poisonous if ingested
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Taxus
    Species:
    brevifolia
    Family:
    Taxaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The wood is strong and resists decay is used to make fence posts, canoe paddles, tool handles. Native Americans used the wood to make spear handles, harpoons, poles, and eating utensils. It was used by the Salish people to make bows and is still used in bow making today.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Alaska to western U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AK, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Deer, elk, and moose browse on this plant. Fruits are enjoyed by songbirds. It is a host plant for the Mottled Gray Carpet, Common Eupithacia and the Fall Webworm moths.
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Shade
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A single seed is partially surrounded by a fleshy aril.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Male plants bear small, yellowish cones that produce pollen. Female plants bear solitary seeds partially surrounded by arils.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The flat needles arranged in a spiral fashion around the stem. They are a yellow-green on the upper side and a lighter green on the underside. The tips of the needles are a sharp, slender point.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Scaly
    Bark Description:
    The bark is thin and scaly, with the outer scales purplish to purple-brown, the inner scales are red to red-purple.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Screen/Privacy
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil
    Heavy Shade
    Wind
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, and weak muscles.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    taxines, taxiphyllin (a cyanogenic glycoside)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Leaves
    Seeds