March 25, 1911 



HORTICULTURE 



393 



Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata) 



While this desirable evergreen has been known in 

 our American gardens in a limited way for many years, 

 it has not been until quite recently that its many merits 

 as an ornamental tree have been generally realized. 



The splendid garden effects obtained by the use of 

 the European Yew (Taxus baccata) in various favorable 

 sections of Europe fill the American traveler with hopes 

 that it will succeed equally well in Eastern United 

 States, only to find that the locations favorable to its 

 success are very few. Tnis Japanese form to the con- 

 trary proves to be practically as hardy as the Eastern 

 American Hemlock and under favorable conditions 

 eventually grows to be a large and handsome tree. By 

 its use no end of desirable results will be possible that 

 have been out of the reach of the gardener heretofore 

 where climatic conditions are too severe for the Euro- 

 pean Yew to thrive. 



It grows well in the shade, submits kindly to severe 

 pruning, making an ideal hedge, will thrive under the 

 shade of large trees, is tolerant of city atmospheric con- 

 ditions, long-lived and a rich deep evergreen the year 

 round. Its propagation is, however, somewhat slow and 

 success in transplanting depends upon the stock having 

 an excellent system of roots; pot-grown or frequently 

 transplanted stock giving best results. 



The writer has recently had the privilege of visiting 

 some of the parts of Japan where this beautiful Yew 

 is native and finds it thriving under most severe climatic 

 conditions. It is by natural preference a mountain tree 

 and usually on the shady side. The Japanese Yew is 

 very variable in habit in common with many alpine 

 trees. In some places it attains a diameter of trunk of 

 two to three feet and a height of fifty to seventy-five, 

 and quite symmetrical, in other instances being of a 

 spreading nature or even quite prostrate in the higher 

 altitudes where a heavy burden of snow every winter 

 has through succeeding generations kept the growth 

 perpetually bowed down. This great variability in its 

 native habitat suggests the desirability of its propaga- 

 tion for commercial purposes from forms of known 

 habit which can easily be done by graftage or from 

 cuttage. 



About the temple grounds of .Japan, especially those 

 situated in the mountains, this beautiful native Yew 

 has been chosen to occupy places of honor, such as either 



side of steps leading to important temples, etc. In 

 such situations the trees have attained in many in- 

 stances large size and are no doubt many of them sev- 

 eral hundred years old. Again this same Yew, but 

 often in its dwarfer garden forms, has seemingly been a 

 favorite with the landscape gardener from the oldest 

 temple garden examples down and even when con- 

 tinuously clipped and confined within very limited size 

 has shown its willingness to remain vigorous, proving 

 its great aptitude and range of usefulness. 



There exists among the Japanese today a great 

 variety of garden forms of this Yew showing many 

 variations from upright tree-like types to dwarf pros- 

 trate types. No doubt a search throughout the middle 

 and north Atlantic states will reveal many fine old 

 specimens of these various types which have been im- 

 ported from time to time or disseminated from some of 

 the old nurseries. If perhaps five desirable forms could 

 be selected, suitably named and eventually placed on 

 the market, gardening opportunities will be greatly en- 

 riched over a large area of the states. The following 

 forms suggest themselves : 



1st. Upright tree-like, which would ultimately 

 form a large spreading tree. 



2nd. A less tree-like form of more compact habit 

 and suitable for windbreaks and tall hedges. 



3rd. A still dwarfer form of very dense habit for 

 medium hedges and formal specimens. 



4th. A dwarf form which could be kept to small 

 size. 



5th. A type with prostrate' habit for use in rock- 

 ery work, etc. 



This may seem all very vague and impracticable 

 and at least a long way off, but gardening is receiving 

 increasing encouragement every year in America and 

 the progressive nurseryman will be depended upon 

 more and more to supply the necessary materials, once 

 the landscape fraternity appreciates the value of this 

 Japanese Yew and all available stock that can be pos- 

 sibly produced for a number of years at least, will he 

 quickly taken up. Nurserymen will do well to stock up 

 with it as its field of usefulness is so large that an 

 overstock is hardly conceivable. 



New Haven, Conn. 



^ The next two issues will contain full reports of the National 

 Flower Show and the proceedings of the several societies holding 

 meetings in connection therewith- They will be excellent adver- 

 tising mediums for Easter and Spring Trade. 



