
Dwarf Japanese Yew 

Topiary 

Hick’s Yew 
(Taxus media hicksi— Taxus cuspidata 
hicksi) 
HIS isa columnar form with branches 
ascending almost vertically, giving the 
tree an extremely columnar narrow 
shape. Introduced by and named for the 
Hick’s Nursery. Although this tree is included 
in the Taxus media group by some authorities, 
it is, according to the Hick’s Nursery, a hor- 
ticultural form of Tazrus cuspidata found 
growing Many years ago in the Dana Arbo- 
retum, Glencove, Long Island. This is one of 
the most widely known of the Japanese Yew 
varieties and is now extensively planted and 
widely appreciated. It has a good, rich, dark 
glossy green color and an entirely distinct 
growing habit, making it easier to identify 
than most of the other forms. 
The growing habit varies a great deal de- 
pending upon the method of trimming. Some 
nurserymen grow the Hick’s Yew into cigar 
shape, others make a broader specimen. 
For narrow hedges, the Hick’s Yew is very 
satisfactory. 
Dwarf Japanese Yew growing in deep shade 
Dwarf Japanese Yew 
(Taxus cuspidata nana) 
HIS is one of the oldest horticultural 
forms of Japanese Yew, having been 
widely known and planted for a great 
many years. It is almost blackish in color, of 
extremely slow growth, forming a low, irreg- 
ular and picturesque outline. Old specimens 
bear a closer resemblance to Boxwood than 
any other Evergreen. It has been planted so 
many years that specimens are not uncommon 
up to 30 or 40 years old, which are 15 to 20 
feet in diameter and up to 4% to 5 feet in 
height. This makes an ideal tree for dwarf 
edging because of its slow growth and compact 
foliage. 
It was formerly known under the name of 
Taxus cuspidata brevifolia, which name was 
later changed to Taxus cuspidata nana. There 
are, however, at least two distinct forms which 
are sold under this name, one of which is much 
darker and closer growing. 
Ernest Wilson 
Praises the Japanese Yew 
In 
work fashioned with Yews 
“The Japanese Yew, for ornamental purposes, is the 
most useful evergreen. In its different forms it is well 
suited for growing as a specimen on the lawn, as a low 
mound or mass near the house, and as a hedge plant; more- 
over, of all evergreens rt best withstands city conditions. No 
matter what season of the year the Japanese Yew is examined 
it will be found a thing of beauty. For suburban gardens as 
for country estates and even for town gardens and parks, tt 
is of all evergreen shrubs the most useful and satisfactory.” 

constricted areas Dwarf Japanese Yews are 
most appropriate 
