Yew or yew? It turns out both names are correct. In the “Russian Spelling Dictionary of the Russian Academy of Sciences” the name yew is recorded, as in V. Dahl’s Explanatory Dictionary (which contains a quote from the epic “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”), and in the “Small encyclopedic dictionary Brockhaus and Efron” features yew.
This gloomy plant guards the entrance to the kingdom of Hades, which guides in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden of Yalta readily recall when leading a group of tourists past the administration building, at the entrance to which there are goblet-shaped yew trees. However, the yew was also planted in cemeteries as a symbol of overcoming death, and in the Hittite ritual text the name of the evergreen tree of life sounds like “yew.” The ancient custom of placing yew branches under the shroud of the deceased was considered a means of protecting the immortal soul of the deceased on the way to the Underworld. For the ancient Celts, the yew symbolized the change of cycles of existence - the inevitability of death and subsequent rebirth, and the Druids believed that the yew was able to overcome the boundaries of time.
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Yew is a coniferous plant, surprising for a number of characteristics. Firstly, it is a dioecious plant, having male and female specimens. Among conifers, such a division is not often found - in the familiar junipers and a number of tropical representatives of the yew family. Accordingly, on male plants golden balls (microstrobiles) carrying pollen are formed, and on female (outwardly indistinguishable) specimens macrostrobilae are formed, inconspicuous before pollination, but becoming decorative during the process of seed ripening. Yew does not form cones (which is also unusual for most conifers); instead, single ovules develop, covered with a succulent ovule (aryllus). At first, only a low green rim appears at the base of the ovule; further, growing, it becomes fleshy, bright scarlet, and covers the seed. By the time of ripening, the auricle looks like a small glass, inside of which a seed can be seen. Arillus is also called a roofing plant - the ovules growing on the branches are usually facing down, and the ovule-cup forms a cover over the seed, protecting the germ of a new life from all climatic adversities. In the forest, yew begins to “bear fruit” after a hundred years, in cultivated conditions - much earlier, already at the age of 20-25 (according to dendrologists of Moscow State University).
In nature, you can sometimes observe rooted lower branches of a yew tree or abundant growth from a stump, but these trees still reproduce by seeds. The seeds ripen within a year and remain viable for another four years. Left (the year after cuttings) in a greenhouse, cuttings of yew branches with preserved pollinated ovules can also produce seed offspring there. Yew seedlings grow incredibly slowly; in the forest, a thirty-year-old plant does not rise above a meter; in cultivation (in the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University) at the same age it reaches 4 m in height.
The needles of yews are also unusual - not needle-shaped, like the usual spruce trees, which yews can look like from a distance, but flat (shiny, dark green above, matte, yellow-green below), 2-3.5 cm long, living 6- 8 years. A characteristic feature of the genus is the complete absence of resin ducts in the needles.
It is unusual for a representative of coniferous plants that the yew is a poisonous tree in all its parts, except for the mentioned aryllus. They say that in the Middle Ages, goblets made of yew wood were considered an exquisite murder weapon, since the wine in such a goblet was saturated with poisons, and the one who drank it fell dead. Cabinetmakers who worked with yew wood (yew is one of hundreds of species classified as “mahogany”) also did not have longevity. People called yew “slight wood”: its hard, dense, heavy wood hardly rots, so it has long been one of the best materials for turning. Due to such demand, yew was practically exterminated. British war bows were made from yew branches, and numerous detachments of English and Scottish archers served as personal guards in all the courts of Europe. It is mentioned that three English kings were killed with yew bows - William Rufus, Harold and Richard the Lionheart.
Nowadays, yew wood (listed, moreover, in all sorts of Red Books) is mainly used for artistic products due to its amazingly beautiful color - pink, red, crimson-violet to deep black, and its excellent ability to be polished. Accordingly, specially treated, varnished yew wood does not pose a danger, but it’s not worth chewing thoughtfully on a decorative pencil - what if it was carved from yew wood?
The wood, bark, shoots, needles (and the older it is, the more poisonous it is) and yew seeds contain alkaloids that are poisonous to humans and animals: taxin, ephedrine and the glycoside taxicanthin. In the early 60s, the US National Cancer Institute discovered that Pacific yew bark extract slows the growth of malignant tumors, and already in 1971, the chemical substance paclitaxel, which has an original antitumor mechanism of action, was isolated from the extract. In 1986, in France, the alkaloid baccatin was isolated from yew needle biomass, which served as the basis for the chemical synthesis of the second taxane derivative, docetaxel. However, the content of these substances does not exceed 0.001% in plant material, and to carry out one course of treatment, it would be necessary to destroy a dozen hundred-year-old trees. But, fortunately, thanks to the development of biotechnological methods, a number of drugs have been obtained that are similar to the action of paclitaxel and docetaxel (in Moscow since 1998, Taxol, Taxotere have been included in the List of Medicines), and doctors and patients have hope for a cure, and yew has the opportunity to avoid death of the plant “harvested for medicinal purposes.”
Genus Yew(Taxus) has up to 5-8 species, distributed on two continents in the warm temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. This is an ancient group of plants that lived back in Jurassic times. Due to slow growth and renewal due to predatory use of yew wood, this tree was practically exterminated; only the names of rivers and settlements remained in memory: White and Black Tysa in Transcarpathia, Tisovets in Slovakia, Tisov on the Baltic island of Rügen.
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(Taxus baccata) more widespread than others, known throughout Western Europe, where it reaches 17 m in height, grows as an admixture in the second tier of shady broad-leaved (beech-hornbeam) or coniferous-deciduous forests in the mountains of North Africa, Syria, and the Azores. It is found growing wild in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Bukovina, the Carpathians, Crimea, the Kaliningrad region and the Caucasus. In the mountains it usually does not rise above 1500 m above sea level, but in places in the Caucasus it reaches the upper border of the forest, where it takes on a shrubby form. Yew is demanding on air humidity. Prefers fresh, nutritious ones, which are often underlain by rocks rich in lime - dolomites, limestones, marls. In the Caucasus, there is a yew-boxwood grove near Khosta (46 hectares with a predominance of yew) and another in the upper reaches of the Alazani River (Eastern Georgia), striking the imagination with powerful old trees (up to 27 m in height). The largest specimen, 32.5 m tall, grows in Adjara. The age limit for yew growing in the Caucasus is 1500 years. The age of the oldest yew berry in Fortingall (Pershire, Scotland) is estimated at nine thousand years, it is truly a tree of eternity...
Another species grows in the Far East - pointed yew (Taxuscuspidate), not much different from the European one, except for the sharper tip of the leaf (needles). This species is also common in China, Korea and Japan. This is an inhabitant of the richest mixed forests that have been preserved since Tertiary times. Pointed yew trees do not form pure stands, however, in the Primorsky Territory on Petrov Island (Lazovsky Nature Reserve) a yew grove has been preserved on an area of almost a hectare.
Known in botanical gardens, rarely found in landscaping Canadian yew (Taxus withanadensis), growing in the undergrowth of coniferous forests on the mountain slopes of eastern North America - from Newfoundland to New Jersey, Manitoba and Iowa. Unlike other types of yew, it is a low-growing or wide-spreading shrub, barely taller than 1 m.
In the western part of North America - from southern Alaska to northern California and Montana - in the mountains at an altitude of 1500-2500 m, along river banks, in lake lowlands. short-coniferous yew, or Pacific (Taxusbrevifiolia) in the form of multi-stemmed trees 5-15 m high with a dense, wide pin-shaped shape. Grows as a small tree or shrub up to 7.6 m Florida yew (Taxusfloridana), found only in west Florida. Both of these species are unknown to us, as well as Wallich yew (Taxuswallichiana), Mexican yew (Taxusglobosa) And medicinal yew (Taxuscelebica).
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The yew, a wonderful tree in all respects, has been cultivated in parks and gardens for a long time. Grows well in the southern and southwestern regions of Russia; in the conditions of Moscow and St. Petersburg it can be grown in open ground in places protected from winds and winter sun. Due to its slow growth and easy recovery after cutting, it is used in Europe to create clipped hedges, borders, and living sculptures. In our conditions, such delights of topiary art are possible only in the greenhouse culture. It should not be forgotten that workers engaged in pruning yew trees usually suffer from headaches and dizziness...
Galina Novitskaya, dendrologist
Department of Dendrology of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University
Magazine "Garden&Kindergarten", No. 4, 2008
(lat. Taxus baccata) is an evergreen low coniferous tree or shrub whose lifespan reaches several thousand years. The age of the oldest yew berry in Fortingall (Pershire, Scotland) is estimated at nine thousand years. The reddish, exceptionally durable wood and longevity have made this tree a symbol of immortality. This is exactly how the priests of the ancient Celtic religion perceived this tree and planted yew trees in sacred groves, on the site of which Christian cemeteries later appeared. Together with other evergreen trees, the yew, as a symbol of death and rebirth, became a real cemetery tree.
Since ancient times, the toxicity of its seeds, which contain the alkaloid taxin, which has a paralyzing effect on the heart, has been known. Both the bark and needles of the tree are poisonous, and these properties increase with the age of the tree. In the Middle Ages, goblets made of yew wood were considered an exquisite weapon of murder, since the wine in such a goblet was saturated with poisons, and the one who drank it fell dead. Shakespeare in Macbeth calls this tree “the doubly fatal yew” - witches used it in their witchcraft deadly potions. Celtic warriors poisoned the tips of their spears with the juice of yew seeds.
"It looks like Latin taxus(yew), writes R. Graves, is associated with the Greek toxon(onion) and toxicon(poison used to smear arrows). The ancient Irish seemed to have used a poisonous mixture of yew, hellebore and greenweed berries.” Yew does not form cones, which is unusual for most conifers; Instead of cones, single ovules develop, covered with a succulent appendage (aryllus). This berry-like seedling has a sweet taste and is non-poisonous. It is readily pecked by birds, which spread the seeds and thereby contribute to the spread of yew.
Durable, rot-resistant yew wood has been used since ancient times for the manufacture of military weapons and household utensils. English bows were almost always carved from yew, the wood of which was considered an ideal material for this purpose. They hunted with the help of bows, so the yew was also a symbol of hunting. The idea of the protective properties of yew was preserved in the custom of making crosses from yew wood in southeastern Europe to protect children from the evil eye and the effects of evil spirits.
“Yew Valley was the abode of Odin in his winter form as the god of death Ulf. In the Saxon runic alphabet the symbol "coh" meant "yew", as did the letter "I" (idho) in the Druid alphabet." The Druidic alphabet of trees consisted of five vowels and thirteen consonants, each of which was named after a tree or bush. The fifth vowel “I” was named after the yew tree - idho, which was considered the tree of death in all European countries. Druids used yew wreaths to predict the future. There was a priestly caste known as the Eburoviki - "people of the yew."
In Ireland, the yew was considered one of the “Five Magical Trees.” It was called the "strong upright deity" because the Irish yews had a vertical crown shape, unlike the British ones, whose branches grow horizontally. The yew was also called the “pride of Banba” - the mortal form of the Irish Triple Goddess. As with the letter of death, forcing the wheel of life to make a full turn, the yew was associated with “the magic of knowledge and the royal wheel.” “As a reminder of his inevitable destiny, every Irish king wore a wheel brooch, which was passed on to his successor.”
The association of yew with death and the simultaneous use of its wood for economic purposes gave rise to the Irish name for a wine barrel “wine coffin”. The same connection of the yew with death, completion, the final break was manifested in the Irish legend of Naoise and Deird: the bodies of the lovers were pierced with yew stakes in order to separate them forever. However, the stakes took root and sprouted shoots, turning into trees, the branches of which were intertwined. Perhaps these are the same yew trees that intertwine their branches above the Armag Cathedral.
Used materials:
- Hans Biedermann. Encyclopedia of Symbols;
- Barbara Walker. Symbols, sacred places, sacraments;
- R. Graves. White Goddess.
Yew (lat. Taxus) is a genus of plants from the yew family (lat. Taxaceae). In their natural environment, yews grow in temperate zones in the northern hemisphere: Asia, North America and western Europe. There are representatives from the tropics: Florida and the island of Java.
Description
The genus is represented by slow-growing evergreen trees or shrubs. The annual growth ranges from 2 to 15 cm. Dioecious and monoecious plants can be from 1 m to 25 m tall. The trunk diameter reaches 3 m. The crown is very dense, columnar or ovoid-cylindrical, sometimes has several peaks. The bark is reddish-gray, smooth. The trunk is covered with dormant buds, from which side shoots develop. Needle-shaped leaves up to 3.5 cm long, glossy, dark green. Anther and seed cones are solitary, located in the axils of the leaves.
Yew leaves and fruits
Pollination occurs in April-May. The seeds are hard, oval, brown in color, surrounded by a fleshy ridge, often bright red (it tastes sweet). In their natural environment they grow in the second tier of deciduous forests or mixed ones of beech, spruce, and fir. All parts of the plant (except for the fleshy ridge) are poisonous: they contain the alkaloid taxine. It often happens that plants bloom and bear fruit for two years in a row, and then rest for a year.
Botanical illustration of yew
Types and varieties
T. shortifolia(lat. T. brevifolia) or T. pacific is a species distributed along the Pacific coast. Bush or tree from 5 to 25 m. Grows very slowly (in 30 years height 1 m), the crown is wide. Branches drooping, needles 1-2 cm.
T. canadensis(lat. T. canadensis) grows in the undergrowth of coniferous forests. The trees are low, bush-like, from 1 to 2 m tall. The needles are sickle-shaped, yellowish-green above, light green below. T. canadensis is winter-hardy, but young seedlings are covered for the winter.
T. Canadian (T. canadensis)
T. berry(lat. T. baccata) or T. european - a common species, grows almost throughout Europe, is found in the Caucasus and Asia Minor, often in mountain forests, and can grow on sandy soils. Trees are dioecious. They grow up to 15-17 m, in some regions up to 25 m. They have a spreading and dense crown. The length of the needles is 2-3 cm, renewed every 6-8 years. Flowers appear in autumn in the axils of the leaves at the base of the branches. The apex is bright red. The species is shade-tolerant and frost-resistant. It tolerates cutting and replanting perfectly. On its basis, many varieties have been bred, some of which can be purchased in nurseries.
For example: "Amersfoort"(‘Amersfoort’) – a low-growing species with oval needles that is extremely interesting for landscape design.
"Fastigiata Robusta"(‘Fastigiata Robusta’) – trees with a strictly columnar crown shape and long needles. Grows up to 3-5 m.
"Summergold"(‘Summergold’) - the variety has a wide flat crown, 2-3 cm crescent-shaped needles, golden yellow color. Can be grown in sunny places.
T. berry “Summergold” (T. baccata ‘Summergold’)
T. Far Eastern(lat. T. cuspidate) or T. acuminate is a tall tree up to 20-22 m. In the wild it is found in the Primorsky Territory, on the Korean Peninsula and Japan. On Sakhalin Island it grows only up to 3 m. The crown is irregular in shape, the branches are horizontal. Narrow leaves 2-3 cm long, sickle-shaped. The seeds are surrounded by a pink seed-bearing plant up to half their length. They ripen in August-September. T. acuminata is frost-resistant, can withstand cold temperatures down to -40 ° C, tolerates drought well and has no requirements for soil composition. Popular varieties:
"Nana"(‘Nana’) - tolerates frost well, the crown is irregular in shape, grows up to 2 m upward and up to 10 m wide, grows by 5 cm annually, has a powerful root system.
"Expansa"(‘Expansa’) – a plant without a central trunk, vase-shaped. It grows slowly: in twenty years it grows only up to 3 m. The variety is widespread in the USA.
T. medium “Hicksii” (T. ×media ‘Hicksii’)
There are also two natural hybrids. Most famous:
T. average(lat. T. ×media) was the result of crossing T. berry and T. acuminate. The leaves of the hybrid are softer green in color, and the young ones are emerald green, with a very clearly visible central vein. The length of the needles is 1.5-3 cm. They grow up to 2 m. Fruiting is annual, fruit ripening in September. The hybrid propagates well by cuttings (40% efficiency). Many varieties have been bred, for example, you can buy seedlings of “Hicksii” from us - two forms: male and female. The crown shape is narrow columnar. Grows up to 4 m. Branches are vertically directed. The needles are 3 cm long, 0.3 mm wide, dark green, shiny. Annual growth is 15 cm. Cuttings are 90% successful.
Photo gallery of species
Growing
Location. It is better to plant in places sheltered from the wind. Yews are one of the most shade-tolerant plants; some species grow well in lighted areas.
Soils. There is no clear recommendation for soils; each type has individual preferences. The most universal mixture: garden soil, peat, sand (3:2:2). T. acuminata prefers loamy soils, but does not like acidified and waterlogged soils. T. canadensis grows well on slightly acidic and neutral soils. T. berry develops on alkaline and slightly acidic soils. All plants require drainage of up to 20 cm. Yews are sensitive to soil contamination with heavy metals and toxins, so in urban conditions they may not grow well and dry out.
Masterpieces of topiary
Watering. Plants do not tolerate excess moisture well, so they only need to be watered once a month. In general, yew is a drought-resistant plant. Loves sprinkling, which is done once every 2 weeks in the evening.
Landing. Planted at a distance of 60 cm from each other, planting depth up to 70 cm, root collar level with the ground. When laying hedges, make trenches 50 x 50 cm. When planting, apply universal fertilizer. The planting is mulched.
Trimming. Yew trees tolerate pruning and shortening of branches by a third very well. Since they grow very slowly, they only require decorative pruning once a year (autumn).
Shaping yew
Care. Young seedlings are mulched with peat for the winter, and in the northern regions they are wrapped. Mature yews are frost-resistant. To prevent the branches from breaking under the weight of the snow, the crown is tied with ropes and the branches are pulled towards the trunk. To protect against insects in the spring, treat with 1% karbofos.
Reproduction
Seeds
Seeds are collected in the fall and stored at a temperature of 5-6 °C. The most effective is sowing in the fall, since if you do it in the spring, you will need seven months of stratification (so they will germinate in two months, and without the procedure - only after 1-3 years). Growing yew from seeds is a task for the most patient, because a plant suitable for planting can only be obtained after eight years.
Yew seedlings can be purchased at a specialized center
Cuttings
A faster method used for propagating varietal yews. In the fall, three- and five-year-old apical or lateral (in bushy varieties) shoots, 20 cm long, are taken for cuttings. Planted in a box with a mixture of peat and sand, covered and placed indoors (greenhouse). The ends of the cuttings can be treated with a growth stimulator. The roots appear after 3 months. Planted in May. The growing period of the plant lasts 5-7 years.
Interesting fact: Plants grown from cuttings taken from vertically oriented branches develop in a vertical direction. Trees obtained from cuttings taken from horizontal branches grow spreading and low.
Composition of yew and boxwood
Usage
Yew is one of the most common coniferous plants used in the USA and Europe for landscaping: it is planted in containers, on the roofs of houses, and on terraces. IN landscape design grown in groups, used for rock gardens.
A very popular plant for hedges and high borders. Green spaces in partnership with boxwood make it possible to create real masterpieces of landscape art. Masters of topiary (topiary) create various shapes from yew trees: animals, architectural elements, geometric patterns, etc. An indispensable plant for creating parks in a classic style; yew alleys made from columnar varieties look very beautiful. Looks impressive in company with rhododendrons and other conifers that have excellent looking needles. Yews have very beautiful reddish wood, which can also be used for decorative purposes.
Probably every person knows what yew is. This beautiful tree has long attracted human attention, and also brings certain benefits - both from an aesthetic point of view and from a practical one. Therefore, if you decide to grow yew on your site, learning more about it will be very useful.
What does yew look like?
When telling what yew is, first of all we should mention its appearance. It is a coniferous plant, which means it is an evergreen plant. In garden plots you can usually see low plants - no more than 1-1.5 m, while in nature they reach a height of 10 meters or even more.
Surprisingly, unlike most plants that can be clearly classified as trees or shrubs, yew does not have such a clear division. There are breeds that belong to both one and the other category.
Unlike many conifers, such as cedar, pine or spruce, yew is multi-vertexed. That is, it grows not only upwards, but also to the sides. The needles are flat and quite soft, mostly dark green in color. The length can reach 3-3.5 cm, but in many varieties it is much shorter.
It is a dioecious plant, which means there are both male and female trees. When cross-pollinated, the latter produce red berries. Yes, if most coniferous plants bear fruit with cones, then the fruits of the yew are drupes. They remain on the branches until late autumn, falling off only after the onset of severe cold weather.
The bark is grayish-red - the shade can vary significantly depending on the variety, as well as growing conditions.
There is another interesting feature that people who are interested in what yew is should know about. Although it is a coniferous tree, its wood contains no resin at all. Therefore, in the areas where it grows, there is no persistent corresponding smell, which not all people like.
Now you know the description of the tree, and the photos of the yew used as illustrations for the article will allow you to get a more accurate idea of this amazing plant. Consequently, it will be much easier to decide whether to grow it on the plot or give preference to other, more interesting crops.
Natural range
Of course, many plant lovers are interested in yew. It all depends on the specific variety. For example, shortleaf yew can be found in Canada and the northwestern United States. Yew berry grows throughout almost all of Western Europe, and is also found in Ukraine, the Caucasus, Syria, Asia Minor and the Azores. Pointed yew is native to China, Japan and Korea.
Quite often you can hear the question of why the plant (yew) does not grow in the steppe. There are several reasons for this. One of them is very slow growth. Yes, some varieties take up to 30 years to grow just a meter! As a result, the grass that is actively growing in the steppe simply suffocates him. The yew does not have time to strengthen enough to acquire a powerful root system, thanks to which it would receive nutrients from great depths, where the roots of the grass do not grow. As a result, the plant dies.
Another reason is strong winds, which are not uncommon in the steppe. An adult yew can boast of durable wood, but young plants are much more fragile. Strong winds simply break it or uproot it, preventing it from strengthening.
Some flora lovers are also interested in where yew grows in Russia. Trees of different varieties can be seen, for example, in the Southern Crimea (berry yew) and in the Kuril Islands (pointed). In the central part of our country it is found only in artificial conditions.
Most common types
As mentioned above, different varieties of yew can be very different from each other. Therefore, it will be quite useful to talk about several of the most common types.
For example, the berry yew, which grows in Europe and is therefore often called the European yew, is a tall coniferous plant. It also grows in the European part of Russia - for example, in the Kaliningrad region. Quite often the yew berry is found in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. But if you meet it in the Caucasus, it will not be easy to identify it - here it resembles a tall bush rather than a tree. Mount Akhun (between Adler and Sochi) is famous for its relict yew-boxwood grove. It is difficult to determine how many thousands of years ago some of its inhabitants hatched from seeds. In 1931 the grove became a reserve, and in last years also came under the protection of UNESCO.
Depending on the specific variety, the shape can be different - prostrate, creeping, squat, dwarf or columnar.
For example, the Elegantissima variety has a unique feature - it is not an evergreen. Closer to winter, its needles turn white, which gives it a special sophistication and sophistication. But he may not be able to withstand Russian frosts. Therefore, in winter it is very important to insulate it well, otherwise the plant may not survive until spring. Now you know where yew berry grows and what it looks like. This means you can move on to lesser-known varieties.
Pointed yew is also very different - both very tall varieties and ordinary semi-dwarf shrubs are found. Only an experienced gardener will be able to determine at first glance that two completely different trees are representatives of the same species. One of the main advantages of this species is frost resistance. Therefore, many owners of dachas and private houses in middle lane In Russia they prefer to grow it - they don’t have to worry about it once again, fearing that the plant will freeze in winter.
Canadian yew is found very rarely in our country - only in special nurseries. Even under good conditions it does not grow tall. But its frost resistance leaves no doubt - after all, it survived in the harsh climate of Canada, so it will feel at home in most regions of our country.
What benefits does it bring?
Since ancient times, people have studied this amazing plant well and widely used it in various areas of life. For example, in the military. It was yew that was one of the best materials for creating bows. Elastic, durable, but at the same time quite flexible, it perfectly met all the requirements of experienced archers.
Although its wood is not impregnated with resin, like most conifers, yew is excellent at resisting rot. Even in conditions of high humidity, it can serve the owner for many decades, maintaining its original strength and elasticity. Mold, which is a real scourge for most, will not appear on it.
But much more interesting is the ability to resist various infectious diseases. Bactericidal properties were well known to our ancestors many thousands of years ago, although they did not know such sophisticated words. But the fact that many sarcophagi in which pharaohs were buried in Ancient Egypt were made of yew is a fact well known to science. It is not surprising, because in Egypt the yew was considered the tree of eternal peace. It is unlikely that such a “title” was assigned to him by accident.
Unfortunately, relatively late, people noticed that most infections avoided houses whose ceilings or furniture were made of yew wood. If this discovery had been made earlier, it is quite possible that many epidemics that claimed millions of lives would simply not have occurred in history.
Alas, it was the high quality of the wood and its unique properties that led to the fact that yew was massively cut down in different countries of the world. Today it is included in the Red Book, and it is unknown whether it will be deleted from there. Still, it grows very slowly, and is quite demanding in terms of growing conditions.
How many years does he live
But if you answer the question “how long do yew trees grow,” many people, including those who know about long-lived trees, will probably be surprised. In its natural habitat, this tree lives on average 1.5-4 thousand years. Just imagine, many inconspicuous trees, having a height of only 10-15 meters, were found in times when Ancient Greece had not yet reached its dawn, and no one had even heard of the powerful Roman Empire!
And this is not the limit at all. For example, in Scotland one of the oldest yew trees in the world grows. Experts have established that its age is approximately 9 thousand years! Just imagine, it hatched from a seed at a time when no more than 5 million people lived on the entire earth. Humanity was just mastering agriculture.
But the tallest known yew tree, until recently, grew in southern Georgia, or more precisely in Adjara. Its height was 32.5 meters! Knowing how quickly the yew berry grows (and this is only 2-3 centimeters per year under favorable conditions), you can calculate how old it was. Unfortunately, today he died due to unknown circumstances.
Reproduction
Now it’s worth briefly talking about methods of reproduction. If you do not want to waste extra time, wanting to immediately get a relatively mature plant on your site, then it is better to choose cuttings. To do this, one of the branches of a healthy, strong plant should be cut off, which is lowered into the water, and after the sprouts appear, it is planted in the ground.
However, although this method wins in speed, it loses in viability. Therefore, experts recommend propagating yew from seeds. Yes, in this case you will lose 3-5 years. But plants grown from seeds are distinguished by greater endurance, strength, and the ability to adapt to environment.
To do this, just collect the required number of berries from a suitable tree. It is very important to subject them to stratification, or, more simply, to freezing. The seeds are frozen along with the berries starting in September at a temperature of about 3-5 degrees and for 7 months. The easiest way is to wrap them in a piece of newspaper and put them in the refrigerator. Stratified seeds germinate in about 2 months - the process is not very fast. But if you do not freeze them, but keep them in a warm place, then they will germinate only in a year, or even three.
However, some people prefer to simply purchase ready-made seedlings. They cost relatively little - most often from 500 to 1000 rubles, depending on the variety and the specific nursery. This approach will save 10 or even 20 years. But in this case, it is advisable to provide them with special care, to ensure that the plant grows exactly in the conditions to which it is accustomed.
Landing
Choosing a suitable location should be approached very seriously and responsibly. After all, you are planting a plant that may well live for a thousand years or even more! It would be a shame if it died a few decades later.
In general, yew is unpretentious to soils - it grows well both on high-quality black soil and on stones, although the growth rate and size under such different conditions will vary significantly. The only requirement is that the soil should not be overly acidic. Otherwise, the plant will wither rather quickly or simply get sick often.
The distance between holes can vary greatly. For example, if you plan to plant yew species related to bushes in order to eventually form them into a chic living fence that can be trimmed and given a suitable shape, then the optimal distance should be 50-70 centimeters. With such a distance, the branches will soon intertwine and create a chic, dense hedge. But if you have long dreamed of growing a luxurious yew tree on your plot, which will remain for your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, then there should be emptiness on all sides around the hole - at least 1.5-2 meters. After all, although a tree grows very slowly, it needs space.
But unlike most plants, yew does not like sunny areas. It would be better if another, older tree grows nearby, protecting the seedling from direct sunlight in the first years of life. The yew is not at all afraid of the shadow, being a shade-tolerant plant. You don’t have to worry that the proximity of young and old trees will cause problems later - when the yew grows seriously, the second tree will probably die.
Does not require special watering. Only in the first three to four years - and only if the earth dries out greatly due to the complete lack of rain. The plant does not like excess moisture. And the grown yew has a very powerful, deeply located root system, which allows it to extract necessary substances from the soil, including moisture.
Wintering
In winter, some varieties of yew can cause unnecessary trouble. Not all trees are able to survive the harsh Russian winter. How to determine whether you need to think about insulation? First you need to find out where the green pet came from and where it grows. A photo and description of the yew tree will help identify it if it is not possible to find out from the seller. Those varieties that need insulation must first be covered with spruce branches or hay. When enough snow has fallen, you can add more snow on top of the insulation to provide reliable protection from the cold wind.
Well, if you choose low-growing varieties, then most likely there will be no problems. Snow will quickly cover the plant, protecting it from frost.
However, there is another problem. At low temperatures, the branches and trunk of a young yew become cold - with a slight load they may well break. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable to wrap the bush with non-woven material or install special supports. Then the snow accumulated on top will not harm him.
Possible danger
When telling what yew is and what features it has, one cannot fail to mention the possible danger. The fact is that wood and berries are poisonous. Yes, yes, it is enough to eat just a few small berries to end up in the hospital with serious poisoning.
The juice also contains toxic substances. It is no coincidence that many gardeners who care for yew and trim its crown often complain about headache. No wonder - when cutting branches, juice is released, which quickly evaporates and affects a person. Moreover, the older the tree becomes, the higher the concentration of poison in its sap.
It is no coincidence that in the old days a cunning method of killing political opponents was used more than once - they were presented with wine in a goblet made from old yew. The taste and smell of the wine did not change, but it became poisonous and killed a person - quite quickly and effectively.
Because of this, there was even a belief that the shadow of the yew tree was also poisonous - a person who lay down to take a nap under a yew tree risked not waking up. Perhaps this could hardly have happened. But it was quite possible for a person to wake up with his head splitting from pain.
Therefore, if children live in your house, seriously think about whether it is worth growing yew on your property. It may be better to choose safer plants.
Conclusion
This concludes the article. Now you know more about the yew tree. Photos and descriptions of different varieties will help you decide on a suitable plant that can decorate your yard and possibly live for several thousand years.
- Description
- Yew wood
- Berry
- Pointed
- Canadian
- Average
- Shortleaf
- Landing
The genus Taxus - yew - unites several species of evergreen coniferous plants, which have predominantly shrubby forms, although large trees are also found among them. The advantages include high decorative qualities and wear-resistant wood. Disadvantages include very slow growth and low resistance to adverse natural conditions.
Yew trees are found in the Northern Hemisphere; its distribution area is fragmentary and includes regions with a warm and humid climate: Western and Central Europe, North America, Africa, the foothills of the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Crimea, the Carpathians, and the Far East. These plants are classified as relict plants, existing on the planet since the Jurassic period. The lifespan of yew trees ranges from several hundred to thousands of years.
Description
The tallest Taxus species rarely reach 20–27 m, the trunks in girth do not exceed 1 m. They rise no more than 15–25 cm per year. Mature trees and shrubs have a dense, spreading, ovoid or cylindrical crown, often with several peaks. The bark of yew trees is smooth or lamellar, has a reddish-gray color, and is dotted with dormant buds, from which lateral shoots develop. The needles-leaves are 20–30 mm long with a clearly visible central vein from light green and yellowish to dark green.
Yews are mostly dioecious plants, flowers bloom in the spring, pollination occurs in April or May.
Cones are located in the axils of the leaves.These plants are sensitive to low temperatures, strong winds and polluted air, do not tolerate overly acidified heavy soils, and do not grow in high mountain areas.
Almost all parts of yew trees are poisonous, as they contain potent alkaloids that can cause irritation of mucous membranes, cardiac dysfunction, and suffocation in humans and animals.
Yew wood
Yew wood has long been valued for its high strength, beautiful appearance, and ability to withstand. It is known that this material purifies the surrounding air from pathogenic microbes, improving the microclimate.
The yew core, in contrast to the light yellow sapwood, has a red or purple color, darkening even more over time, the texture of the massif is almost uniform. It often warps and cracks, but is stable during use. wood depends on the type and ranges from 570 to 812 kg/cubic. m. For many centuries, houses were built from this material, furniture was carved, used for interior decoration, combat and hunting bows, and musical instrument bodies were cut from it.
Today, yew is not used in wide industry, as it is classified as an endangered plant species. Sometimes you can find various crafts and souvenirs made from it that have collectible and artistic value, as well as exclusive furniture.
Kinds
There are several types of trees, many of which are planted in local areas, parks, gardens or terraces, and used as picturesque hedges.
Berry
Yew berry, or European (taxus baccata) is the most famous of all. Grows in Europe and the Caucasus. It forms pure stands extremely rarely; single specimens are found or as part of the lower tiers of forests. The peculiarity of this species is the presence of bright red berries growing around the seeds. Considering the toxicity of the plant, it is not recommended to eat them, despite the sweet taste, although sometimes the pulp is used as a raw material for homeopathic medicines.
Berry yew is the most resistant to drought, as it has a deeply penetrating root system.
The most suitable varieties for landscaping include the following varieties of yew berries:
- Summergold is a low-growing and wide dense shrub, no higher than 1 m, the name characterizes the appearance of the plant: its needles even in the shade have a yellowish tint, and in summer in bright sunlight they turn golden, tolerate temperature changes, frosts and short-term drought;
- David is a cylindrical shrub with yellowish-green needles, capable of stretching up to 2 m in height with a width of about 50–70 cm, can grow in wet and dry soils, suitable for creating hedges;
- Fastigiata - distinguished by its exquisite columnar shape: it stretches up to 1.5 m, having a width of up to 70 cm, numerous shoots are directed upward almost vertically, the needles are dark green, about 2 cm long. The variety is prone to freezing, but tolerates long periods of lack of moisture;
- Repandens is a picturesque dwarf taxus baccata variety with dense branched green needles. The height of this yew is 50–80 cm, the diameter is about 1.5 m, the shrub is demanding in terms of light and soil nutrition.
Pointed
The species Taxus cuspidata - pointed yew - grows up to 15 m, distributed in Primorye, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, Japan, and Korea. In Russia it is listed in the Red Book, as it is a rare endangered species. A special feature of cuspudata is the shape of its needles - its tips are pointed and resemble thorns. The bark of trees and shrubs is brownish-red in color, sometimes with yellowish spots. Pointed yew is more resistant to unfavorable natural conditions: it adapts to poor soils and tolerates winds, droughts and frosts well. Dwarf varieties have been bred for planting in garden plots: Nana, Monĺoo, which have compact fluffy crowns up to 1.5 m wide.
Canadian
It is native to the northeastern United States and Canada. The needles of the tree are often olive green or slightly yellowish in color, slightly curved, the bark is brown, the roots are located superficially. The Canadian yew grows only 10–15 cm per year. It is a fairly frost-resistant species.
Average
It is considered a hybrid of berry and pointed, combining the characteristics of both of these species. The average yew has pointed, double-rowed needles, dull green or slightly reddish in color, brown lamellar bark, and a thick, uneven or ovoid crown. Dozens of ornamental varieties have been bred on the basis of this species, which grows faster than others.
Shortleaf
A small, widely branched, light green shrub native to western North America. The length of its needles is about 1 cm; per year it rises only 5 cm, rarely stretching more than 1 m in height. A relatively unpretentious species, it takes root well on any soil, and is resistant to frost.
Landing
It is quite possible to plant yews in country and suburban areas if certain important conditions are met: the soil is not overly acidified, the place where the bushes are grown is protected from the wind, and the air does not contain toxic impurities of gases and heavy metal salts.
In a temperate climate, medium yew or the Summergold variety are suitable for erecting hedges and garden landscaping, as they can withstand negative weather conditions better than others.
The best soils for the plant are slightly alkaline, neutral, slightly acidic, and well-drained. Suitable turf or leaf soil with the addition of peat and sand. Clay soils with stagnant moisture are undesirable.
If you have an adult plant, you can prepare the planting material yourself. Yew propagates by seeds and vegetatively. The first method requires enormous patience and a lot of time - only the stratification period takes at least six months, after which the seeds must be placed in a nutrient mixture of sand and peat. When the seedlings reach 15–20 cm in height (this is still a few months), they can be planted in open ground.
Propagation by lateral or apical cuttings is the best way. The shoots must be at least 20 cm long and have several branches. To root, they are first planted in a box with a mixture of soil and sand; after 2–3 months, the seedlings are strengthened in a permanent place. It is advisable to do this in May so that the plants have time to gain strength.
Yew trees are able to live in the shade, but in order to provide them with maximum fast growth, it is recommended to plant it away from the walls of buildings, large trees and high fences, choosing sunny places.
The holes for planting yews should be 1.5 times wider than the roots and deep enough: you need to put drainage at the bottom, a layer of soil on top, then place the seedling and cover it tightly with soil. To protect against pests, add a little copper sulfate solution to the substrate. When erecting a hedge of plants, the distance between them should be at least 0.5 m.
Care
Watering the bushes is carried out in the first 3 years of growth during the warm period; in dry weather, seedlings require 10 liters of water per month. At the same time, you should water the crown by spraying it. For the winter, the roots are mulched with sawdust or pine needles, and the bushes themselves are covered with agrofibre.
The soil around the roots should always be loose, providing the required air exchange. Feeding with combined universal mixtures is carried out from April to October with an interval of 2 weeks.
After a few years, the grown bushes can be trimmed little by little, giving the crown the desired shape and removing damaged shoots. Use any gardening tools for this: scissors, pruners, knives. After shortening the shoots, it is advisable to immediately fertilize.
To protect against mold, rot and pests, it is recommended to preventively spray the bushes with fungicides once a season.