Tree · Taxaceae family
English yew
Taxus baccata
In short a 10-second read
English yew (tree) grows to 5–15 m tall and 4–12 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 4–12 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy
Soil pH 6–8
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove overlong shoots (April–August).
Planting
container plant: March, October–November
Winter protection
shelter from wind
Overwintering
In winter it needs protection.
Before the first frosts: shelter from wind.
- Shelter from wind
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does English yew tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does English yew need?
At maturity 4–12 m wide and 5–15 m tall; recommended spacing 500 cm.
Does English yew survive winter outdoors?
Yes, with protection: shelter from wind.
Toxicity
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 20 expert sources. Last checked 18 October 2026.
Show sources (20)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Taxus baccata
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Taxus baccata
- Van den Berk Nurseries (NL), stromová škôlka — Taxus baccata
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Taxus baccata
- EPPO Global Database — Taxus baccata
- Polleninformation.at Plantcompass — Yew
- Zahradníková E., Rendeková A., Ščevková J. (2023) Temporal variation of allergenic potential in urban parks: a case study from Bratislava, Slovakia. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31: 2026–2041 (doi 10.1007/s11356-023-31137-9) — tabuľka peľového a alergénneho potenciálu drevín
- RHS - Taxus baccata
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow conifers
- Tox Info Suisse — Eibe
- BfR / GIZ — Liste giftiger Pflanzenarten
- Giftzentrale Bonn (GIZ Bonn)
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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