How to Grow Yew Tree Extensions

Yew trees appeal to many gardeners with their stately shape and ornamental, bright-red berries. Although yew trees require little maintenance once established, many specimens benefit from yearly pruning to remove any irregular branch extensions and improve their overall symmetry and shape. The branch extensions often end up in a green waste bin or as mulch, but they can also be trimmed down and used to grow new yew trees if each is treated with rooting hormone and kept under moist, bright conditions.

Gloves
Pruning shears
6-inch square pot
Perlite
0.8-percent IBA (indolebutyric acid) rooting powder
Spray bottle
12-inch nursery container
Garden soil
Cold frame

Instructions

- 1
  Put on gloves before gathering branch extensions from the yew tree because the foliage and wood are toxic to humans. Wear long sleeves to avoid getting the sap on your arms.
- 2
  Cut a 6-inch-long twig from the tip of the pruned branch in autumn after routine pruning. Sever the twig at an angle using sharp, clean pruning shears. Pull off the needles from along the lower one-third of the twig.
- 3
  Fill a 4-inch square pot with perlite or another moisture-retentive, sterile growing medium. Leave a 1-inch gap between the growing medium and the lip of the pot. Shake the pot gently to settle the growing medium into the bottom.
- 4
  Dip the needle-free portion of the yew twig into 0.8-percent IBA rooting powder. Twirl the twig in the powder to fully coat it. Tap the twig to knock loose the excess powder.
- 5
  Insert the yew twig into the prepared pot until the bottommost set of needles rests against the surface of the growing medium. Gently push the perlite against the base of the yew twig.
- 6
  Spray the perlite around the base of the yew twig with a water-filled spray bottle. Keep spraying until the growing medium feels moist at a depth of 2 inches. Keep the growing medium moist at that depth during the rooting process. Mist the foliage periodically to keep it hydrated.
- 7
  Place the potted yew tree twig where it will receive very bright, diffuse light and temperatures around 70 F. Keep it sheltered from extreme temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight since both will stress the cutting and cause it to drop its needles.
- 8
  Check for root growth starting 10 weeks after potting it. Tug the base of the twig and feel for resistance, which indicates that it has produced a few roots. Keep it under warm, bright conditions until the following spring.
- 9
  Transplant the rooted yew into a 12-inch nursery container filled with garden soil after it roots. Keep it in a partially shaded spot during the summer. Move it into a cold frame in autumn.
- 10
  Plant the yew in a permanent location in the garden the following spring once the soil warms to 65 F. Choose soil with good drainage and full sun. Avoid boggy areas since yew trees do not tolerate excessive moisture.

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