English Yew Bonsai Care Guide

Taxus baccata

English Yew Bonsai

Native to Europe, east Iran and North Africa. These evergreen conifer species are renowned for their slow growth and imperious foliage. Nortiously the leaves of Yew are poisonous as is its characterful, flaking red bark. 

English Yew Bonsai Care Tips

English Yew tolerate sun but a postion that provides lots of shade and minimal direct sunlight is optimum. This species can grow in shade. This is hardy species till about -10 degrees C. 

Water your English Yew well across the growing season. Water when the top layer of soil has started to dry. Soil mix is important as this species does not respond well to waterlogged and wet conditions. 

Feed your English Yew bonsai every fortnight across the growing season. Use a balanced slow-release fertiliser or once bespoke for evergreens. 

Pruning your bonsai is important not only to create or maintain an aesthetic style but also to ensure optimal health. Pluck new growth throughout the growing season. Hard pruning should take place in the Autumn. Do not pinch out any flowering in Spring if seeking to grow fruits. The ramification is encouraged by pinching back new growth.

English Yew can be wired for any style except for broom. Proceed carefully to avoid damaging the branches. We recommend using wires with a thickness that matches the thickness of the branch: if the wire you choose is too thick you will damage the bark. If it is too thin, it won’t be effective.

Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. Repot every 3-4 years from August to September when the root growth is strongest. Pumice is advised for repotting Yews.

Trees that are ready for repotting will require root pruning, a suitable new pot and appropriate soil mix.

When repotting, do not cut back the root mass by a large amount, and choose a well-draining soil mix that has a neutral or slightly higher PH value of 5-6 but not over 7. We tend to use a mixture of different speciality bonsai soils on our trees. Every species is different so please contact us for free soil-mix advice or to take advantage of our repotting service.

Yews make for some of the world’s most famous trees. They are found all across the world’s temperate regions and are known for their red berry-like cones pleasing the eye and many bird’s appetites. The Japanese Yew is commonly used for bonsai. These are slow-growing and long-living species.

Bonsai trees aren’t only magnificent additions to an indoor oasis, they are more than capable of standing out in any garden. Many Bonsai species are incredibly hardy and withstand nature’s colder and damper turns with aplomb making them worthwhile outdoor plants. We have an extensive library of care guides for outdoor bonsai trees. It’s not about selecting the perfect bonsai, it’s about selecting the perfect bonsai for you. 

English Yew Bonsai - Typical Queries

English Yew can be propagated with seed, cuttings, or air layering. Ripe seeds should be outside sown in autumn. The seeds take a considerable time to sprout, around 2 years. Semi-ripe cuttings should be used and taken in late Summer and early Autumn. Layering can take place toward the end of Spring. 

Yew are generally pretty strong against pests and diseases. The only exception is root rot. Scale or caterpillars are the likely intruders for this species and can be removed with water or insecticide.

English Yew produces its flowers in Spring and it bears its berries in Autumn.