Shrubs🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -25°C

Taxus / Yew

Taxus baccata

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Taxus (Taxus baccata) is an originally native, evergreen conifer that can also grow as a large shrub. The species naturally occurs in calcareous deciduous forests, scrub, hedges, along woodland streams, on stony slopes, old walls, and in inner dune forests. The dark green, flat needles and reddish-brown, peeling bark give the tree a recognizable appearance throughout the year. Taxus is dioecious: male and female inflorescences usually grow on separate plants. Male specimens disperse large amounts of pollen in the spring. Female specimens can form red, berry-like arils in the autumn if a male Taxus is nearby. The species is suitable as a solitary tree, evergreen hedge, topiary, bird sanctuary, and for planting in shaded gardens.

Year calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
🌸Blooms
🐝Provides nectar
🍓Bears fruit
🍂Has autumn colour

Pruning period

✂️Best pruning period: Jun–Sep

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
✂️ Pruning period

Best pruning period

Taxus tolerates pruning exceptionally well and, unlike most conifers, can sprout again from old wood. Prune a hedge once in June and optionally again in August or early September. Wear gloves and collect all pruning waste carefully, as dried needles and branches remain highly toxic.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Sun, Half shade, Shade

Soil type: Clay, Sand, Loam, Humus-rich

Moisture need: Moderately moist, Moist, Dry

pH: Neutral (6.5–7.5), Chalky (>7.5), Acidic (<5.5), Slightly acidic (5.5–6.5)

Nutrient richness: Nutrient-poor, Nutrient-rich, Moderately nutrient-rich

Humus content: Humus-rich, Moderately humus-rich, Humus-poor

Water drainage: Strongly draining, Well draining, Moisture-retentive

Appearance & season

Mature height: 300-1800cm

Bloom: Mar-Apr

Autumn colour: No autumn color. Taxus is evergreen and retains its dark green needles throughout the year. On female plants, the bright red arils provide extra color in September, October, and November.

Properties

Salt sensitive: Yes

Edible: No

Scent: The inconspicuous flowers have no strong or noticeable scent. Taxus is wind-pollinated and therefore does not attract pollinators with floral scent or nectar. Damaged needles and branches may release a light, resinous scent.

Ecological value

The dense, evergreen branches offer shelter, nesting sites, and roosting spots for birds year-round. The red arils are eaten by blackbirds, song thrushes, fieldfares, and other birds, which disperse the poisonous seeds undamaged. Some small mammals may also consume the fleshy arils. The needles serve as food for the caterpillars of a few specialized moths. Old Taxus trees, with their dense crowns, hollows, peeling bark, and dead wood, provide habitats for beetles, spiders, mosses, lichens, fungi, and other organisms. Taxus is wind-pollinated and produces no nectar, making its direct value for bees, hoverflies, and butterflies limited.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsUseful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesLimited

🪰 HoverfliesLimited

🦋 ButterfliesLimited

🪲 Beetles & insectsVery useful

🐦 BirdsExtremely useful

🐿️ MammalsExtremely useful

🐞 Other animalsExtremely useful

Taxus has limited value for flower-visiting insects because it is wind-pollinated and does not produce nectar. Only a few caterpillars use the needles as a food source. The red arils, however, are eagerly eaten by thrushes and other birds, which disperse the seeds. The dense, evergreen crown provides year-round nesting sites and shelter. Needles and seeds are poisonous to humans and many mammals.

Distribution in the Netherlands

Source: NDFF Distribution Atlas / FLORON — period 2020–2026

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