Japanese Yew, Taxus cuspidata capitata, Tree Seeds


Long Lived, Evergreen, Showy Fruit, Attracts Birds, Wildlife Food/Shelter, Topiary, Bonsai, Cold and Urban Tolerant


Japanese Yew is a broad-columnar needled evergreen tree or multi-stemmed shrub that is native to Korea, China, Russia and Japan. In its native habitat, it will grow to as much as 30 to 50 feet tall. Cultivated plants will grow much smaller, particularly if regularly pruned. It features linear, spiny-tipped, dark green needles to 1 inch long. Leaves are often tinged yellow beneath. Foliage may turn reddish-brown or yellow in winter. Bark is scaly and reddish brown. Although classified as a conifer, female yews (plants are dioecious) do not produce cones, but instead produce red, ornamentally-attractive, berry-like fruits, each having a single seed almost completely surrounded by a fleshy red aril. ‘Capitata’ is very similar to the species except that its form is more pyramidal. Female plants may produce abundant fruit that is attractive to birds. Specific epithet is in reference to the cuspidate (having a sharp pointed tip) foliage.

All parts of the tree are highly toxic, except the bright red aril surrounding the seed, enabling ingestion and dispersal by birds. The seeds are eaten by some bird species. The aril is not poisonous and is gelatinous and very sweet tasting.


Leaf: Evergreen needles, single, spirally arranged but appearing 2-ranked on shaded branches, needles lay very flat, approximately 1 inch long, dark green and shiny above, tip abruptly pointed, yellow or pale green below with 12-15 rows of stomates.
Flower: Dioecious; male flowers are small, round and yellow and are borne on the undersides of the leaves; female flowers are solitary.
Fruit: Naked ovoid seed 1/4 inch long, surrounded by a bright red, fleshy aril, maturing in late summer, persistent through fall.
Twig: Light green in color, turning brown after several years; buds green with keeled scales, female flower buds are pointed, males rounded.
Bark: Always thin (about 1/4 inch), reddish brown, and scaly; inner bark is reddish purple.
Form: Small tree or large shrub to 25 feet, with many limbed boles and a short trunk.

Zone: 4 to 7

Growth Rate: Slow

Plant Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Taxaceae

Native Range: Japan, Korea, Manchuria

Height: 10 to 25 feet
Spread: 5 to 10 feet
Shape: Pyramidal

Bloom Time: March-April

Bloom Color: Yellow

Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade
Fall Color: Evergreen

Drought Tolerance: Moderate

Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

Site Requirements /Soil Tolerances: Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates shade and is considered to be one of the best of the needled evergreens for shady conditions. Prefers moist, sandy loams, but plants have no tolerance for wet conditions which must be avoided. Good soil drainage is essential. Tolerates urban conditions. Best sited in locations protected from cold winter winds.

Culture: Tolerates pruning well. Pruning is best done in early spring, but may be done at any time.

Uses: Foundations, parks, gardens, understory shrub, hedges, screens, in groupings or mass plantings, topiary, decoration, Bonsai. One of the best evergreen conifers for shady areas.


Sowing Taxus cuspidata capitata Seeds:

For best results, please follow the instructions in the order provided.

Scarify: Soak in water for 24 hours

Stratify: Warm 90-200 Days, then Cold 60-120 days, 40 Degrees F in a Moist Medium (Not wet).

Germination: Sow 1/4” Deep, Keep moist (Not wet).

For more information about seed pretreatment and growing trees and shrubs from seed, please download this .pdf:

https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2007/08/fcpg018.pdf


Germination:

  1. Seeds Packets are labeled with seed name and sowing details.
  2. Seeds have not been pretreated unless specified in the listing.
  3. Seed is not a specific Cultivar (Variety) unless specified in the listing.
  4. Due to the many factors involved in successful germination, Seller cannot be responsible for buyers growing methods or mistakes.
  5. I have provided what I believe to be a good overview on this page (which you are free to print for further reference), however, it is still recommended to check specialist literature for more details and practices specific to your climate and soil conditions to avoid mistakes in the germination and growing process.

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