Yellow/Narrow columnar yew, Taxus baccata

The columnar yew (Taxus baccata) stands out due to its very slender, upright growth habit. Thanks to this, the wood is wonderfully suited as a solitaire in small gardens, but also for narrow hedges. In particular, the yellow and narrow columnar yew (botanically Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata Aureomarginata' and 'Fastigiata Robusta') are a pretty eye-catcher in the garden due to their characteristic growth and the striking, yellow-green color of the needles. The trees are considered to be extremely easy to care for.

The yew in the overview - a profile

There are about ten different types of yew, of which only the European or Common yew is native to our latitudes. Botanically, it is called Taxus baccata, which indicates that the yew trees presented here are just different varieties of the same species. For this reason, the trees should easily fit into your garden and feel comfortable there, after all, they are at home here. Incidentally, yews are closely related to the conifers, which are also very popular in many gardens.

• Botanical name: Taxus baccata
• Genus: yew trees
• Family: Yew family (Taxaceae)
• Origin and distribution: exclusively in the northern hemisphere, in temperate latitudes
• growth form: slender, upright, very narrow, only becoming somewhat broader with age
• growth height: between four and six meters, depending on the subsoil and location
• growth rate: slowly, up to ten centimeters per year
• Characteristic features: evergreen
• Location: sunny to shady, but light penumbra is ideal
• Floor: moist, nutrient-rich, calcareous
• Leaves: needles up to four centimeters long, dark green or yellow-green with a gold border
• Blossom: March to April, inconspicuous
• Fruit: bright red berries
• Toxicity: yes, all parts of the yew are highly poisonous (especially the fruit and needles)
• Use: Ornamental plant, especially in the background of flowering perennial beds, as a solitary plant or as a hedge
• Hardiness: very hardy and frost-resistant

Differences 'Fastigiata Aureomarginata' and 'Fastigiata Robusta'

The two types of columnar yew presented here are very similar. 'Fastigiata Robusta' is merely, as its botanical name suggests, more robust and also less sensitive to bad weather conditions than 'Fastigiata Aureomarginata'. It also grows slightly faster and has lighter colored needles.

But whichever type of yew tree you choose: they are all very easy to care for and are well suited for people with little time or money. without the famous "green thumb". The trees native to this area can be planted out in the garden or cultivated in tubs. Keeping the plant in a tub is no problem if the plant is watered and fertilized regularly. Furthermore, the columnar yew copes very well with both root competition and rainwater or condensation dripping down from other trees. This is hardly surprising, as yews are found in nature mainly in the so-called shrub layer, i. H. they thrive below the canopy.

The care of the columnar yew from A-Z

Even if the care of the columnar yew is basically very simple, it is important to follow a few tips. This is how the yew tree grows and thrives wonderfully and goes through its owner, his children and their grandchildren their extremely long lifespan - these conifers can live up to 1000 years in nature - very long Joy. The better the care, the more beautifully the tree grows in height and develops healthy, strong needles.

Location

Basically, columnar yews feel comfortable in any location: Whether sunny or shady, the conifers can be found almost everywhere and are quite adaptable. However, the optimal place is in the light penumbra, for example under a tall deciduous tree. Here the yew gets enough light, but is protected from the harsh rays of the sun. Full sun can be problematic, especially in winter: in frosty but sunny weather, the plant evaporates a lot of water through its needles, but cannot absorb any through its roots. This results in drying damage, which is reflected in brown-colored needles. In a shady location, on the other hand, the already slow yew grows even more slowly.
The ideal location at a glance:

• sunny to shady
• light penumbra is ideal
• for example under a taller deciduous tree
• no full sun for young trees
• high humidity is important

soil / plant substrate

Basically, columnar yews do well on almost any garden soil, as long as it is not too acidic. Moor soils are therefore unsuitable, otherwise you can plant Taxus baccata almost anywhere. However, the plant feels most comfortable on a nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil that contains both clay and lime. Heavy soils should be improved with sand and compost, while sandy subsoil tolerate a generous addition of mature compost. If the columnar yew is cultivated in a bucket, mix the potting soil with mature compost and a few horn shavings. Be sure to ensure good drainage in the pot: Although the yew needs a lot of water, it does not tolerate drought or waterlogging.

Pour

Pillar yews need - like all yews - a lot of water, especially immediately after planting and in the first two to three years.
The most important thing about watering at a glance

• high water requirement, especially after planting and in the first few years
• good water supply helps to good root penetration
• good rooting means it can withstand dry periods better
• Thoroughly water regularly, but avoid waterlogging
• good drainage therefore also useful for planted specimens
• Loosen the soil with sand and compost
• also water in winter, especially in sunny, dry weather
• Mulch soil area to prevent drying out

Fertilize

Ideally, fertilize the yew from the first budding (usually mid-April) until mid/end of July at the latest. Later in the year, the plant should no longer be supplied with nutrients, otherwise the new shoots will not be able to mature in time for winter. As a result, they are highly susceptible to frost and other adverse weather conditions in winter. An exception is Patentkali, which is given between mid-August and mid-September and prepares the tree for winter. Fertilize two to three times a year with mature compost and horn shavings, for rather poor soils or On the other hand, you use commercial complete fertilizers for tub culture. Special conifer or fir fertilizer is not absolutely necessary, but can also be used.

• from budding until mid/end of July
• for sprouting and in June compost and horn shavings
• for poor soils and buckets: liquid fertilizer
• Fir or conifer fertilizer can be given, but does not have to be
• Patentkali between mid-August and mid-September

Cut

Pillar yews are very pruning-tolerant and can even be placed on the stick without any problems – that is, radically cut off to just above the ground. However, regular pruning is basically not necessary, as the trees retain their upright, slender shape without human intervention. Balding is also rare, which is why a rejuvenation cut is not necessary. Nevertheless, a pruning can be necessary, for example because the hedge has to be trimmed or the solitaire has grown too big over the years. Dead wood must also be removed immediately.

• pruning is done either in early spring or in autumn
• a cut around St. John's Day (24. June)
• if possible, do not cut in June: birds like to breed in yew trees and are then disturbed
• Always topiary before sprouting in spring
• use template for this
• Cut out deadwood and diseased shoots at any time

multiply

Although columnar yews form pretty, bright red fruits in autumn, the seeds they contain cannot be used for true-to-variety propagation. Instead, propagation occurs from both 'Fastigiata Aureomarginata' as well as 'Fastigiata Robusta' about cuttings, which are traditionally harvested on St. John's Day (24. June) to be cut. The reason for this lies in the fact that worldwide all specimens of the mentioned varieties are female and pollination can therefore only be carried out by other yew varieties.

To root the cuttings:

• approx. Cut shoots that are 30 centimeters long and are two to three years old
• Cut the top and side shoots in half
• remove needles and side shoots from the lower part (which will be put into the ground), about four inches
• Plant the cuttings in normal garden soil
• either in a pot or straight into the bed
• Location: shady and sheltered from the wind
• Keep soil evenly moist
• be patient and wait

Since the columnar yews are so slow-growing, the cuttings need up to a year for new roots to form. As soon as new shoots form, rooting has been successful.

hibernate

Since it is a native yew species, columnar yews are very frost hardy. The only problem in winter can be the combination of bright sunshine and clinking Frost: Then there is a risk of drought damage, since the plant evaporates a lot of water but does not absorb any can. In this case, wrap the columnar yew in a fleece or wrap them in jute to keep out the sun.

diseases and pests

Both diseases and pest infestation occur very rarely in the columnar yew. On the other hand, discoloration of the leaves is more common, which indicates various problems: the brown discoloration usually occurs either due to a lack of water or due to too much moisture. As soon as the cause has been identified and remedied, the robust Taxus baccata usually recovers quickly and sprout again.

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