How far apart should you plant yew hedging?
William Burgess
Updated on March 06, 2026
How far apart should you plant yew hedging?
Depending on plant size, space your plants at about 60 cms apart. More if they are overcrowded. Yew hedging is formal so it pays to spend time getting your lines straight and the spacing even. Unless you have the eye of a pyramid builder, use string stretched between canes to make sure you are planting straight.
How close can you plant yews?
A mature Hick’s yew can be anywhere from 4-12′ wide with 6-8′ typical so I’d say your spacing was a bit too tight. I’d move out to at least 3′ from the fence and at least 4′ apart.
How much space does a yew tree need?
When part of a hedge, think well about how high you want it to grow so that you can determine the planting distance of your yew accordingly! Keep a spacing of about 32 inches (80 cm) to 3 feet (1 meter) for the usual 6-foot (1.80 m) hedge.
What can I plant next to yews?
Good companion plants for yews include roses (Rosa spp.), irises (Iris spp.), lilacs (Syringa spp.), viburnums (Viburnum spp.), hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) and plants of Mediterranean origin, such as rosemary (Rosmarinus spp.) and lavender (Lavandula spp.).
How long does it take to grow a yew hedge?
Growth rate of English Yew (Taxus baccata) Taxus baccata hedging is renowned for being slow growing; however, it does maintain an average growth rate of 20-40cm a year, reaching a good height at 2m-4m.
How wide do yew trees grow?
Yew Varieties Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’: This variety grows roughly 2 to 4 feet high by 12 to 15 feet wide and is used for foundation plantings or as short hedges. Taxus canadensis: Known as Canadian yew, this species has a spreading growth habit and reaches around 4 feet high by 7 feet wide.
How do you plant spreading yews?
Planting: To ensure the best results for your Dense Spreading Yew, choose an area with full sun to partial shade. The Yew tolerates shade well and also grows easily in well-drained soil with average moisture. Start by digging a hole that’s at least two to three times the size of your plant’s root ball.
Should I fertilize yews?
A healthy, mature yew can often do without fertilizing. Beginning the second year after planting, fertilize an evergreen yew once a year, before it puts forth new growth in late winter or early spring.
Is Yew good for hedging?
Yew hedging, also referred to by its Latin name Taxus baccata, boasts stunning dark-green, conifer foliage that is easy to maintain and trim, and has a slow growth rate. Yew is the perfect hedge plant for shaping formal displays.
Is Yew slow growing?
Yew is not slow growing Yew is a fairly fast growing plant when it is young. It will easily grow 30cms per year, more if it is in full sun all day and well cared for. Yew will begin to grow slowly when the growing tips of the central, leading stems are cut.
Can you plant a yew tree near a house?
Re: Planting a yew near the house Do you know if it is a dwarf cultivar or is it the straight species. If just Taxus baccata, I would hesitate to plant it any closer than 5m since it can get fairly large with maturity. Keeping it trimmed doesn’t guarantee the roots will behave.
Does anything grow under yew trees?
The ground under yews is notoriously unavailable to grow other plants – like gardening at night, it depends on the shape of the tree however. Good for making long-bows. Ash, or Spanish Yew was preferred to make bows.
How far apart to plant Hick’s yew?
The distance between yews is 2 foot and they are about 1 -1.5 feet away from fence behind them. Will this do? A mature Hick’s yew can be anywhere from 4-12′ wide with 6-8′ typical so I’d say your spacing was a bit too tight.
How do you plant a yew tree as a hedge?
Walk about six and a half to ten feet (2-3 m) from the yew. Use the string as a guide to plant the yews in a straight line. The yews will fill in the space between them as they grow, forming a solid hedge line. Water yew once a week. During the first summer after planting, water the yew well.
How far apart should you plant red maple trees?
Safety Distances. Not only should maple trees be planted a specific number of feet apart from each other, but they should also be planted a safe distance from other structures. The Sacramento Tree Board recommends planting red maples at least 6 feet from fences and underground pipes and wiring; 8 feet from walks,…
How far apart should you plant maple trees for maple syrup production?
Maple trees intended for maple syrup production should be planted 30 feet apart in all directions. Sap production is greatest in trees grown out in the open where the trees can develop large tops or canopies.