Taxus baccata 'Adpressa' (Adpressa English Yew)


Michael's Opinion

This tree is an excellent choice for planting in any garden due to its hardiness and its deep green colour that lasts all year round. This tree is also a perfect choice to cover an unwanted view in a landscape.

Botanical Information

FamilyTaxaceae
GenusTaxus
Speciesbaccata
Cultivar'Adpressa'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
ReferencesDirr, M. A. (1977). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagacion and uses. Chanpaign: Ill : Stipes. Gordon, G. (n.d.). The Pinetum. Retrieved March 22, 2016, from https://books.google.ca/books?id=I0hHAAAAYAAJ
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The Taxus genus has been used in the past as the precursor to chemotherapy, due to the toxic bark of the Taxus. The Indian Ayurveda and native Americans would use the Taxus as a laxative.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5a - 6b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone4a - 6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-29 - 20
Temperature (°F)-20 - 5
Height6 m
Spread4 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis tree has a wide spread, dense evergreen that has a deep green colour.
ID CharacteristicThe 'Adpressa' is an irregularly-shaped tree that, from a distance, can appear to have a blueish tint. Upon closer inspection of the tree, the bark has a flaky chipped look and the needles have a greener hue.
ShapeThis tree has a wide spread shape that does not change throughout its life.
LandscapeThis tree has many landscape uses. It is excellent at blocking unwanted views or can be used as a wind-breaking tree.
PropagationThis tree can only be propagated by cutting off another Taxus baccata 'Adpressa'. The best time to take cuttings is between the late summer to early winter. Once the cuttings are taken they should be rooted in greenhouses and cold frames.
CultivationCan be planted in either sun or shade, and prefers a PH value of 5 to 8. Can tolerate either acidic or alkaline soils.
PestsTaxus scale, needle blight, twig blight, and the taxus mealy bug.
Notable SpecimensWestonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe bark on this tree is a greyish colour and is rough to the touch. The bark is also flaky and can be rubbed off.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSmall buds that have an oval shape with scale like texture.
Leaf DescriptionThe needles of the lower branches have a rounded oval shape and are about 0.6cm long and 0.2cm wide. They are more pointed than the needles of the leading shoots. On the margin line and the mid rib of this leaf the colour is a lighter green.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers of this tree are usually green to yellow that resemble coloured buds at a distance than flowers. The flowers bloom in the spring around April.
Fruit DescriptionUnlike other Taxus baccata species, the fruit is smaller and the seed is more exposed but the arial still has a red colour.
Colour DescriptionThe overall colour at a distance is a deep green colour that will stay the same all year, unless the needles are dessicated by wind burn in the winter. As you get a closer look at the plant the bark has a grey colour that will also remain. The fruit is bright red with exposed dark green seeds.
Texture DescriptionThis tree has a rough texture to the touch due to its flaky bark. This texture stays rough all year round.

Photographs