Watering yew

Content:

• Yew origin
• Yew care and location
• Pruning yew
• Fertilizing yew
• Watering yew

Yew origin

Yew (Taxus) are evergreen shrubs or trees belonging to the yew family (taxaceae). They originate from Europe, North America, and Asia and are popular in many parts of the world as ornamental plants, hedge plants, or park trees.

Yew trees are known for their long, glossy needles and their brown seeds, which are embedded in fleshy husks. They grow slowly and can reach heights of up to 15 meters. The oldest yew tree in Germany is estimated to be between 2000 and 4000 years old.
It was often given special significance in mythology and culture and the yew was frequently used in ceremonies and rituals.
In Greek mythology, the yew was the sacred tree of the goddess Artemis and was therefore planted in her temples and sanctuaries. The yew was also a symbol of immortality. 
For the Celts, the yew was a sacred tree because it was associated with eternity. It was used to make magic wands, dowsing rods, and as a protective tree.

Yew flowers are small and inconspicuous, appearing in spring. The male flowers grow in clusters resembling panicles, while the female flowers appear singly.
Yew leaves are oblong and pointed. They are evergreen and remain on the branches throughout the winter.
The fruits of yew trees are red, cup-shaped seed coats that ripen in autumn. 

Yews are often planted as ornamental plants or hedge plants. However, it is important to note:
All parts of the yew tree – especially the needles, bark, and seeds – are highly poisonous and contain the alkaloid taxine. Only the red, fleshy aril (seed coat) is non-toxic, but the seeds inside must never be eaten. Even small amounts can be life-threatening to humans and many domestic animals. For this reason, yew trees should not be planted in gardens accessible to small children or grazing animals such as horses, cattle, or goats.

Yew trees are adaptable and thrive in many temperate climate regions.

Yew care and location

Yew trees are best planted in moist, well-drained soil and need plenty of water and sunlight to stay healthy, but they can also survive in dry soil by shedding their needles to conserve water.

Yew trees have shallow roots and can suffer damage to the roots close to the ground in dry conditions. The soil in the root area should therefore not be worked if possible.

Pruning yew

Yews are evergreen plants that rarely need to be pruned. They are very robust and undemanding and therefore require little care.
However, if they become too large or need pruning, this should be done in spring or autumn. They tolerate pruning well.

In this article you will find all important information about the Cutting trees. 

Do you need to fertilize yew trees?

Yew trees absorb nutrients from the soil through their roots and therefore do not require regular fertilizationHowever, it is recommended to improve the soil before planting yew trees with soil amendment materials such as compost or organic fertilizer to optimize growing conditions.

Watering yew trees correctly

Rising temperatures and increasing drought are having a serious impact on the environment and causing stress on trees. Depending on the location and climatic conditions, it may be necessary to water yew trees more frequently than before.
Yew trees need a lot of water, especially in the first few years after planting. They should also be watered regularly, especially during dry periods. To avoid waterlogging, the soil should be well-drained.
Watering with a garden hose often results in a lot of water running off and evaporating before it can reach the tree's roots.

The use of tree bath Watering bags for trees for watering yew trees, however, is particularly efficient. The watering bags have two holes in the bottom through which the water is evenly released into the soil over several hours. Drip irrigation gives the roots close to the ground the opportunity to absorb the water. This keeps the soil evenly moist and less water is used because not too much water seeps through the root area.
Young yew trees should be watered regularly with 75 to 100 liters of water per watering. Older and larger yew trees should be watered 1 to 2 times a week during dry periods with 150 to 200 liters of water per watering.