Can Yew help me?

Discussion in 'Gymnosperms (incl. Conifers)' started by Unregistered, Apr 13, 2005.

  1. I am planning a garden for a friend, my most ambitious project ever. I live in Kelowna and am interested in including a yew hedge at the back of the garden. I have no experience with yew, but the dark green color looks lovely.

    My concern: it seems that the yew is poisonous. How poisonous? What if her little dog chewed on the branches or ate a berry. It would be impolite, I think, to poison her dog.
     
  2. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Yew is poisonous, the fleshy cup (aril) around the seed is the only part that isnt poisonous. There has not been many recorded cases of a death by poisoning of Taxus (human) . A few (1-3) 'berries' can be enough to poison a small child. I would suggest you try the variety "HM Eddie" as it does not produce a 'berry'.
     
  3. Thank you. I shall duly warn her and if she agrees to go with the yew, I shall hunt down that variety. It's just the nearness of yew -- may have to special order.
     

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