Is the red berry edible?

No, while the red flesh is the only part that is not toxic, the seed inside is highly poisonous and it is best to avoid eating any part of the plant.

How often should I prune it?

Prune once a year in late summer to maintain its shape and density.

Plant guide

English yew.

Taxus baccata

Pronounced TAK-sus bak-KAH-tuh

Also known as Common yew, Common Yew, English yew, European Yew, Irish Yew, Yew

Taxus baccata — Photo by Juan (CC BY) via gbif

The English yew is a classic evergreen conifer known for its deep green needles and longevity. It's a fantastic choice for formal hedges or as a stately specimen tree in the landscape. You'll love how well it responds to shaping and pruning.

Another photo of English yew — Photo by Thibaud Godon (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Conifer
Light: Full sun to full shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 30 to 60 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Plant your yew in well draining soil to prevent root rot. Keep an eye out for yellowing needles, which can signal poor drainage or overwatering. It's quite hardy, but it does appreciate a sheltered spot away from harsh winds.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring to support new growth.
Pruning: Prune in late summer to maintain your desired shape or hedge density.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Chalky, loamy, or sandy
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.

Safety

People: The entire plant, excluding the fleshy red aril of the fruit, contains taxine alkaloids that are extremely poisonous to humans.
Pets: This plant is highly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the seeds and foliage are lethal if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is a known allergen that can trigger symptoms in sensitive people during the spring.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested.

How to identify it

Dark green needle like leaves
Bright red fleshy arils
Dense and bushy growth habit
Scaly reddish brown bark

Height: 3 to 12m
Spread: 2 to 6m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: red, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

PhytophthoraCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Vine WeevilUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: It is very hardy and requires no special protection in winter, though container plants should be moved to a sheltered spot to prevent root freeze.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, but ensure the pot is at least 50 cm wide to accommodate root growth.

Cuttings

Take 15 cm semi ripe cuttings in late summer.
Strip the lower needles and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Insert into a well draining potting mix and keep in a cold frame until rooted.

Pair with other shade tolerant evergreens to create a lush, year round backdrop for flowering perennials.

Grows well with

English Holly · They share similar shade requirements and provide excellent winter interest.
Boxwood · Both plants are classic choices for formal gardens and respond well to regular clipping.

Similar species

Japanese Yew · It is a very similar species often used in breeding programs to improve cold hardiness.

Science

Family: Taxaceae
Genus: Taxus
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida
Native range: Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia.
Conservation: While not endangered, wild populations are protected in some regions due to historical overharvesting.

It thrives in the understory of forests where it can tolerate deep shade and varying soil types.

Value to wildlife: provides winter cover for birds, fruit source for birds
Pollinators: bees
Uses: hedging, topiary, specimen tree, wildlife garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is the red berry edible?: No, while the red flesh is the only part that is not toxic, the seed inside is highly poisonous and it is best to avoid eating any part of the plant.
How often should I prune it?: Prune once a year in late summer to maintain its shape and density.

Where the name comes from

The name Taxus is the ancient Latin word for the yew tree, while baccata refers to the berry like fruit it produces.

Good to know

Yew trees are famous for their extreme longevity, with some specimens estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
The red fruit is technically an aril, which is a fleshy covering around the seed.
Yew is one of the few conifers that can sprout back from old wood, making it perfect for heavy pruning.
Compounds called taxanes, extracted from yew needles, are used in the production of certain cancer medications.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.