How to Grow Upright Japanese Plum Yew - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Upright japanese plum yew is a small, slow-growing, evergreen coniferous tree in the yew family. It is endemic to Japan, where it is found in the forests of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The tree grows to 10–15 m tall, with a trunk up to 30 cm in diameter. The leaves are arranged in two rows, and are scale-like, 2–4 mm long, and glossy dark green. The cones are globose, 6–8 mm diameter, with 12-24 scales, each scale with a single seed. The cones are red when young, ripening brown in late autumn.

How to Grow Upright Japanese Plum Yew - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Plum yew
  • Cephalotaxus
  • Taxus cuspidata
  • Japanese yew
  • Sawara cypress

Common Knowledge

  • Upright Japanese plum yew is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall.
  • It has dark green, needle-like leaves that are arranged in pairs along the stems.
  • The small, white flowers bloom in the spring, followed by dark purple berries.
  • Upright Japanese plum yews are native to the mountains of Japan and Korea.
  • They were introduced to North America in the late 1800s.
  • Upright Japanese plum yews prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils.
  • They are relatively drought tolerant once established.
  • Upright Japanese plum yews are low-maintenance plants and are not susceptible to many pests or diseases.
  • These shrubs can be used in foundation plantings, hedges, or as specimen plants.
  • Upright Japanese plum yews can be propagated from seed or cuttings.

Growing Steps

  1. For upright japanese plum yew, first step is to choose a good location. It should be in full sun or partial shade.
  2. The second step is to prepare the soil. It should be well-drained and slightly acidic.
  3. Then, you need to plant the trees. You can either buy them from a nursery or grow them from seeds.
  4. Once the trees are planted, the next step is to water them regularly.
  5. Fertilize the trees every year using a balanced fertilizer.
  6. Prune the trees every year to maintain their shape and size.
  7. When the trees are mature, they will start bearing fruits.
  8. Harvest the fruits when they are ripe.
  9. Store the fruits in a cool, dark place.
  10. Enjoy your homegrown fruits!

Soil Condition

About soil condition, the best way is to test it yourself. Upright Japanese plum yew can prosper in a wide range of soil conditions, from very sandy to very clayey, as long as the soil is not overly compacted and has good drainage. The ideal soil would be a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.

About light

Not too different with other types of yews, the upright Japanese plum yew prefers full sun to partial shade, with at least four hours of direct sunlight each day. However, it is more tolerant of shade than other yews and can even grow in full shade. This makes it a good choice for gardeners who want a yew that can grow in shady areas.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the growth of the upright Japanese plum yew is one that is cool and moist. This type of condition can be found in areas that have a lot of rainfall and in areas that are located near bodies of water. The temperature condition that is most ideal for the growth of the upright Japanese plum yew is one that is cool and moist. This type of condition can be found in areas that have a lot of rainfall and in areas that are located near bodies of water.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-70%. The upright japanese plum yew can tolerate a wide range of humidity, from low to high, but it prefers 50-70%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to drop. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to yellow.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant grows well in average, moist, well-drained soils, in full sun to part shade, but it prefers a moist, slightly acidic, humusy soil. It is not drought tolerant. It has a deep, fibrous root system and tolerate some soil disturbance. This plum yew is native to Japan, China, and Korea. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that typically grows to 10-15’ (infrequently to 20’) tall. It is pyramidal to oval in shape with a dense, compact form. It is noted for its very dense, fine-textured foliage, horizontal branching, and lack of significant sprawling. Fertilizer should be applied in early spring before new growth begins.

About light

Pruning is an important part of keeping your plum yew healthy and looking its best. Though it can be done at any time of year, late winter or early spring is the ideal time to prune this plant. To do so, simply remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other. You can also trim back any branches that are growing too long or too wild.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of the upright Japanese plum yew can be done through softwood or hardwood cuttings, as well as by seed. Softwood cuttings are taken from new growth in the spring, while hardwood cuttings are taken from mature wood in the fall. To take a cutting, use a sharp knife or pruning shears to make a clean cut just below a node (the point where a leaf is attached to the stem). The cutting should be 4-6 inches long. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a pot filled with moistened potting mix, and place the pot in a warm, sunny location. Keep the potting mix moist, but not soggy, and in 4-8 weeks the cutting should have rooted and new growth will appear. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in a pot filled with moistened potting mix in early spring. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location, and keep the potting mix moist. The seeds will germinate in 4-8 weeks, and the seedlings can be transplanted into individual pots when they are large enough to handle.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is about 1 foot per year. However, some growth rate can be faster or slower depending on the conditions. For example, growth rate can be faster in rich soil with lots of moisture. On the other hand, growth rate can be slower in poor soil conditions.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are aphids, scale, and whiteflies. These pests can infest the plant and cause problems with the growth and health of the plant. If you see any of these pests on your plant, you should treat the plant with an insecticide to get rid of the problem.

Basics of Growing

  • Do not forget to water your plant regularly. It is important to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.
  • Place your plant in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight.
  • Prune your plant regularly to encourage new growth and to shape it as desired.
  • Fertilize your plant once a month during the growing season.
  • Be sure to provide good drainage for your plant.
  • Protect your plant from extreme cold or heat.
  • Take care not to overwater your plant.
  • Avoid using chemical pesticides or herbicides on your plant.
  • Inspect your plant regularly for signs of pests or disease.
  • Have patience! It can take several years for your plant to reach its full potential.

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Source:
Plant of the Week: Yew, Japanese Plum - uaex.uada.edu
Japanese Yew | Campus Trees - University of Minnesota
Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Japanese Plum-yew) - American …

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