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Butterfly Garden
Yew Plum Pine
Yew Plum Pine
- Common Name: Yew Plum Pine
- Scientific Name: Podocarpus macrophyllus
- Family Name: Podocarpaceae
- Origin: East China and Southern Japan
- Height: Usually grows up to 6.5 ft, although the tree form can grow up to 50 ft
- Width: 3 to 5 ft as a shrub, 10 to 20 ft in the tree form
- Growth: Slow
- Zone: USDA Zones 8b through 11
- Light needs: Full sun to part shade.
- Salt tolerance: High
- Soil/pH/Texture: Tolerates a wide range of soil types as long as the soil is well-drained and acidic (pH 5.0-6.5)
- Moisture: Moderate water needs. Soil should not become too wet.
- Drought tolerance: High
- Pests/Diseases: No major pests or diseases.
- Growing conditions: Although it can tolerate shady conditions, it grows best in full sun. It is a very rough plant, tolerating a wide range of soil and environmental conditions, and is suitable for urban planting and other restrictive areas. It is tolerant of poor and salty soils. It is capable of, and often is, being pruned into a hedge. When pruning, a hand pruner is preferred over a hedge trimmer.
- Characteristics: Left alone, this plant will grow into a tall, columnar tree. However, it is most commonly trimmed into a compact, dense hedge. The trunk is somewhat fibrous and has several branches – the trunk and branches are usually hidden when pruned into a hedge. Leaves are dark, grayish green needles which are closely arranged in a whorled pattern. The cones are small, yellow structures and are inconspicuous. The plant grows a berry-like seed which is small, round, and blue.
- Propagation: By seeds or hardwood cuttings. Cuttings are recommended if uniformity among plants is desired.
- Wildlife: The fruits attract birds.
- Facts: The wood of the tree is often used for building high-quality houses in Japan. It is commonly trained as a bonsai.
- Designer considerations: It is most commonly trained into a dense, compact hedge and used for borders and screening. It can also be grown into a tree, which is a perfect choice for walkways, sidewalks, or next to roads or in other urban areas.