Taxus baccata Yew (Taxaceae) Evergreen tree

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Taxus baccata
Yew
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Taxus baccata plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Taxaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Yew.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Taxus baccata
Common Name:  Yew
Family:  Taxaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant, except the flesh of the fruit, are highly poisonous, having a paralyzing affect on the heart[1, 4, 7, 10, 19, 65].

Mature Height:  15   Mature Width:  10

Habitat:  Woods and scrub, usually on limestone. It sometimes forms pure stands in sheltered sites on chalk in the southeast and on limestone in the northwest[17].

General Uses: Very tolerant of trimming, this plant makes an excellent hedge[1, 11, 29]. The plants are often used in topiary and even when fairly old, the trees can be cut back into old wood and will resprout[200]. One report says that trees up tp 1000 years old respond well to trimming[200]. A decoction of the leaves is used as an insecticide[46, 61]. Some cultivars can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 1 metre or more apart each way[208]. 'Repandens' has been recommended[208]. Wood - heavy, hard, durable, elastic, takes a good polish but requires long seasoning. Highly esteemed by cabinet makers, it is also used for bows, tool handles etc[4, 7, 11, 46, 61, 66, 146]. It makes a good firewood[6]. The wood is burnt as an incense[146].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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