Ma-Ke Bonsai

Bonsai Tree Care Guide

Taxus baccata

English Yew

Description

Yew trees are native to Britain and particularly common in England and Wales, where they have been panted in many churchyards. These evergreen trees grow very slowly and live for many hundreds of years. Some old yew trees are believed to be over 2000 years old. Longbows were made from yew, and this durable wood has been used in turning wooden bowls and as a veneer by furniture makers.

Styles:

Formal upright, Informal Upright, Slanting, Cascade, Semi-cascade, Literate, Group planting, Saikei

Location:

Outdoor

Position:

Prefers a semi to dappled shaded position but will tolerate some direct sunlight too. Is frost hardy but best to protect if temperatures ae likely to fall below -10°C.

Watering:

Water well but ensure that pot is not water logged. Prefers a drish to damp soil.

Feeding:

Feed by bi-monthly during growing season. Use a balanced fertiliser.

Leaf and Branch Pruning:

New shoots should be pinched back as soon as they appear to encourage branching. If you want the the tree to fuit then do not prune banches. Structural and heavy pruning best in Autumn.

Re-potting & Growing Medium:

Yews are slow growing and hence need only be repotted in spring every 3 to 4 years. Use a well drained soils. 1 part humus, 1 part loam, 1 part gravel for drainage. Could also use 1 park Akadama and 1 part Pumice or Fuji Grit.

Wiring:

Anytime of the year, but best during autumns as the ap beigns to recede and the branches become more flacid.

Notes: