This evergreen, understory shrub has an open, sprawling habit (another common name is ground hemlock) and is easily recognized by its flat, pointed needles and red, cup-shaped fruits. It tends to form large, 3- to 5-foot-tall clonal mats in rich forests, cool ravines, or forested swamps and helps to stablize soils along shady banks of streams, ponds, and bogs. In the wild, Canada yew is an indicator of cool, moist, old-growth sites. It prefers cooler soils, and it thrives in full or part shade. When massed, the showy evergreen makes a beautiful groundcover with glossy, dark green foliage, tan cones, and summertime berries. With its ability to stabilize soils, It also adds diversity to woodlands and benefits from the shade provided by trees. It reportedly does not like to be moved or disturbed.
Although the specific epithet references its Canadian affiliation, another common name is American yew, which refers to the plant's native range in the central and eastern parts of the US. The species has been in decline primarily due to overbrowsing by overabundant deer populations. Other factors include climate change, which reduces snow cover and leaves the foliage open to deer browse; removal of overstory trees; and harvesting for cancer drugs. Canada yew is listed as potentially threatened or rare in Ohio.
Caution is advised when planting yews in the landscape because the parts of the plant--especially the seeds, needles, and bark--are toxic. Humans, pets, livestock, and most species of mammals are susceptible to poisoning when parts of the plant are ingested. Symptoms range from abdominal cramping and diarrhea to rapid death. Remove trimmings to prevent pets and horses from eating them. Birds can feast on the berries because their digestive systems allow the toxic seeds to pass through intact. Deer are also able to browse the needles without being harmed.
Mythology and folklore surround yew tree species. In the center of Scotland, the Fortingall yew in Glen Lyon is estimated to be 5,000 to 9,000 years old, making it the oldest tree in Scotland and, perhaps, Europe. Celtic culture in particular revered the yew, noting its qualities of longevity and regeneration, and Christians also revered the tree that symbolized resurrection. Drooping branches of yew trees can root and form new trunks where they touch the ground, and yew trees that have stopped growing may suddenly start to grow again. The toxicity of the tree was also well known; thus, the yew came to symbolise death and resurrection in Celtic and other European cultures. Shakespeare's Macbeth concocted a poisonous brew with "slips of yew."
In modern times, researchers have found ways to harness the toxic qualities of yews to successfully treat cancer. "Yews contain a variety of compounds called taxanes which have been the subject of much research for cancer treatments." (Joel Springsteen, Urban Ecology Center, 2012.) The compounds paclitaxel (also known as Taxol) and docetaxel have been isolated from the bark of Pacific and European yew trees and are now considered "Essential Medicines" by the World Health Organization for their ability to treat breast, ovary, and lung cancers.
Due to its sprawling habit and levels of toxicity, Canada yew is an ideal shrub for out-of-the-way areas with room to spread. It thrives in woodlands and along slopes and banks and is a good choice for shaded spaces and areas with cool soils. It's especially suited for native, rain, and winter gardens. Shade-tolerant companion plants include ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), and Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum).
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 3-5' tall and 6-8' wide.
Prefers part sun (2-4 hours) or full shade.
Grows in a variety of soils, including clay and loam, that range from well drained to occasionally wet.
Male and female cones about 1/8" long are borne singly in leaf axils, usually on different branches of the same plant and occasionally on separate plants. Female cones are smaller, pointed buds subtended by a series of small bracts. Male cones are oval-elliptic and yellowish with cream-colored pollen sacs that turn tan. Fruits follow in mid to late summer; the fleshy, seed-bearing structures (arils) are up to 3/8" long, maturing to bright red, and open at the end to expose a single seed.
Reproductive System: Usually monoecious (self-fertile) but occasionally dioecious.
Needle-like, flat leaves are dark green, up to 1" long, and attached singly, one per node, in a spiral around the branch. The rows of leaves have a flattened appearance because they only project in a lateral fashion. The needles may turn reddish brown in winter.
Twigs are mostly alternate, green to yellowish when young, turning brown to reddish brown the second year. Multiple stems have thin, reddish bark.
Wildlife Value:
Birds eat the fruits. The plant provides year-round cover for birds and small animals.
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
A homoeopathic tincture is made of the young shoots. Herbalists use the berry flesh to treat a variety of ailments, including cystitis, headaches, and neuralgia.
The medieval English longbows were made of yew wood, which is very hard and closegrained. Archers used these bows to devastating effect during the Hundred Years War. The wood is also used to make furniture and the internal framework parts of boats, where its flexibility and resistance to decay are extremely valuable qualities.
Resources:
Minnestoa Wildflowers: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/canada-yew
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/taxus-canadensis/
Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/non-flowering-plants/canada-yew
Urban Ecology Center: https://tinyurl.com/2w6evj8u
Johnson's Nursery: https://kb.jniplants.com/canadian-yew-taxus-canadensis
American College of Emergency Physicians: https://www.acep.org/toxicology/newsroom/feb2021/dont-do-the-yew
Trees for Life: https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/yew/#:~:text=They%20no%20doubt%20observed%20the,and%20resurrection%20in%20Celtic%20culture
Duffield Timber: https://duffieldtimber.com/the-workbench/company-news/yew-tree-history-beauty-secrets