Taxus cuspidata, commonly known as the yew tree, is an endangered species and a first-class protected plant in China. Renowned for its potent anti-cancer properties and ornamental value, it has gained significant attention as a "plant gold." Since the commercial harvesting of wild yew was banned in December 2002, cultivating Taxus cuspidata has become the sole sustainable method for the paclitaxel industry, while also playing a crucial role in protecting wild populations. This practice holds great promise for the future.
Drawing from nine years of hands-on experience, this article is written to provide useful insights for readers. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some errors may still exist. I kindly ask experts and colleagues to share their knowledge and corrections.
**1. Growth Habits**
Taxus cuspidata is highly adaptable, tolerating cold, shade, moisture, and poor soil conditions. It prefers cool climates and can survive extreme winter temperatures as low as -42°C without damage. Even when buried under heavy snow, the plant remains intact. In summer, when temperatures exceed 30°C, growth slows down, and eventually stops as the heat continues to rise.
The yew grows slowly. After 14 years, it typically reaches a height of about 2 meters with a trunk diameter of around 0.2 cm. Under optimal conditions, two-year-old cuttings can grow over 1 meter tall within five years.
This species is dioecious, featuring red leaves and green foliage. It remains evergreen throughout the growing season, turning darker green during dormancy. In areas north of the Great Wall, two-year-old cuttings and seedlings can produce flowers and fruits after four years. The flowering period usually occurs between early April and late April, with fruit ripening from mid-August to early September.
**2. Cultivation Techniques**
**2.1 Site Selection and Land Preparation:** Choose well-drained loam soil near a water source, with flat terrain and good fertility. Prepare the planting area by deep plowing and leveling it into 133 cm wide beds.
**2.2 Planting Density:** The density varies depending on the purpose. For bonsai production, plants should be closely spaced at 33 cm x 50 cm, with about 4,000 plants per acre. For afforestation and medicinal forests, a more open spacing of 50 cm x 66.7 cm is recommended, with 2,000 plants per acre. After five years, thinning can occur, reducing the density to 50 cm x 133 cm, with approximately 1,000 plants per acre. For large-scale engineering seedlings, individual plants can be removed gradually.
**2.3 Transplanting Seedlings:** Use two-year-old cuttings for transplanting. Before planting, soak the roots in water and carefully remove the soil while preserving the root system to ensure high survival rates.
**3. Management Practices**
**3.1 Weeding:** Perform weeding and soil loosening 3–4 times annually.
**3.2 Fertilization:** Apply urea at 10 kg per mu (about 667 square meters) in May, followed by watering. In autumn, apply sheep manure once every 2–3 years at a rate of 1.5 tons per mu.
**3.3 Watering:** Water regularly during dry periods in spring and autumn. However, avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture is a common cause of failure in potted yew. As the saying goes, “sweat water pouring†means frequent but moderate watering.
**3.4 Shading:** Use 70% shade nets or intercrop with fruit trees, such as planting yew on the north side of fruit trees that are oriented east-west. Alternatively, intercrop with crops like corn, which can provide natural shade. In residential areas, small-scale cultivation can be done without shading.
**3.5 Pruning and Shaping:** The branches are soft and easy to shape. They do not rebound after pruning, making them ideal for bonsai cultivation. Proper trimming allows for the creation of various forms and designs.
After nine years of cultivating Taxus cuspidata, no diseases or pest infestations were observed, indicating its resilience and ease of care under proper management.
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