How to propagate irish yew from cuttings (Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’)

Yews have been used in gardening for centuries. In this article I will show you step by step how to propagate Irish Yew from cuttings. Specifically Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’ by hardwood cuttings.
I love hardwood cuttings as it is the “laziest” way to propagate plants.

Yew is often used to form hedges and to make topiary. Its dark green foliage becomes extremely compact with regular pruning.

This characteristic makes this plant an excellent choice for a background plant in a composition. Its dark color will enhance any plant with colorful foliage or stems that is planted in front of it.

Furthermore, being a perennial shrub, it has interest all year round, giving structure to the garden even in the winter months.

The Taxus that I will propagate in this guide is a Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’ commonly known as Irish yew.  This is an erect, very formal variety that has been growing in my garden for many years.

Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’) growing in my garden

Yews are slow growing shrubs in the first few years, but once established in place, they become vigorous growers.

Yew have lost some of the popularity it once had. In my opinion, its resistance and longevity, in addition to its natural beauty, make it a plant that has a place in any garden.

With this introduction to the plant, let’s go without further ado to our step-by-step guide.

Hardwood cuttings are obtained from mature branches, stems that have grown for an entire season and are cut at the end of the growing season, that is, from late autumn through winter.

Prepare the pot

The first step is to prepare the pots. I used my usual cuttings mix, generic potting soil mixed with sand.
One of the most important factors for successful propagation by cuttings is good drainage in the cuttings bed.
If we use a soil that retain too much moisture, the cuttings will rot.

Prepare the pots for yew cuttings

Here I used small square cultivation pots, but you can do it in a deep tray or other container that may be more convenient to you. As long as it has good drainage holes it is fine.

How to take the cuttings

I cut several stems. I don’t think it’s essential, but I made sure that all of them had apical buds (at the tip) and not just side buds.

Bunch of irish yew cuttings (Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’)

With my fingers, I removed the leaves and buds on the lower two-thirds of each cutting. I made the final cut with a very sharp blade just below a node. In this case, the point where this last year’s growth started.
It will be at this point that the roots will grow.

Cutting the stem below the node

Plant the cuttings

I buried the cuttings around the pots, leaving only the small tuft of leaves and buds above the soil.
I didn’t use any kind of rooting hormone.

Planting the yew cuttings

Water and protect

Then, I watered the pots well and put them in a place protected from the wind and direct sun. You can place them next to a wall or other taller pots that provide some shelter for the cuttings.

Yew hardwood cuttings planted (Taxus baccata ‘fastigiata’)

Now just wait for Nature and time to do their work. Yew cuttings can take a long time to root, at least a year.
Do not transplant them until you can clearly see white roots coming out of the bottom of the pot. Don’t be fooled by possible aerial growth of cuttings that can happen even without roots.

I’ve updated this article with the results. See on the next page…