If you want a tree that resembles the yew trees but does not belong to the same family, then the Podocarpus genus is what you need.
You find the shrub or trees in various shapes and sizes, but they mostly grow as large trees.
The is a woody evergreen tree with beautiful needles and berries.
More About Podocarpus Plants
In the Podocarpus genus, you find over 100 species of shrubs and trees. You can find large shrubs, small trees, to large ones in the family. According to many owners, they have minimal care.
Instead, the conifers produce fleshy seed cones comprising two or up to five scales.
As the scales swell, it forms berries making food for birds. Still, not all the members of the Podocarpus family are dioecious, comprising male and female plants needed, where cross-pollination needs to occur. The shrub to trees is toxic to humans and pets.
Some common names are:
Podocarpus yew pine
Fern pine
Plum pine
Yew pine
Japanese yew
When the evergreen conifers mature, they reach up to 80 feet tall, and some can even grow taller. The tree is native to South America, Asia (Japan and China), and Africa.
Buddhist Pine Tree Care Tips
The Podocarpus plants can tolerate different environments to grow outdoors in the landscape or containers. If you enjoy the art of Bonsai, you can train them into Bonsai trees.
Another wonderful thing is they make for beautiful ornamental shrubs, hedges, and privacy screens for windbreaks.
One more benefit when it comes to maintaining it is to keep it as a small tree, and it is salt and drought tolerant
Planting Japanese Yew
You can plant the yew pine in the garden or a pot to stand on the patio.
Landscape Planting
Dig the hole two to three times as wide and deeper as the root ball in a spot with direct sunlight.
Place some native soil from the planting hole on a tarp.
For dense clay soil, add some topsoil with sand, mixing it in a 50:50 ratio with the native soil. For well-drained soil or fertile soil, you need not amend. Add some topsoil with peat moss or organic compost for sandy soil, as your tree prefers moist soil.
Remove your plant from the nursery container and loosen the root ball and feeder roots.
Set your tree in the hole with the root ball above the ground level and backfill as needed. Also, improve the soil if it remains soggy when watering it, allowing it to settle.
Tamp as you backfill to remove air pockets and, at halfway, soak the soil. Continue to the top edge backfilling the root ball until covered but do not cover the top of the root ball.
Now water well around the planting area and apply chipped wood or pine straw mulch around the base without touching the trunk.
For pot, planting follows the same steps as above but uses well-drained soil for container planting. Ensure the container has enough drainage for excess water to run freely away. Use quality potting soil or mix by adding pumice or perlite.
The Best Lighting Conditions For Yew Pine
Podocarpus pine tree @flickr
When it comes to this genus’s large shrub and tree, it is not fussy about the light it receives. It can grow in full sunlight to partial shade. Still in full sun, it will encourage growth.
Soil Needs For Podocarpus Plant
Providing the Podocarpus plant with well-drained and not wet soil is important, as poor drainage can lead to root rot. So choose a potting medium for containers and the ground to drain well. The soil pH needs to be between 4.5 to 7.5.
Water Requirements For The Japanese Yew Family
The Podocarpus needs regular watering during the first few years as young trees are actively growing. In addition, the shrubs prefer moist but not wet soils. Hence, it remains essential to provide adequate drainage for them.
You can water deeply but infrequently and wait until the soil dries before you water again. We recommend you water around the base and not over the foliage. Once your Japanese yew is established, it is drought tolerant and only needs supplement water during dry weather.
Temperature and Humidity
To maintain a healthy tree, the Podocarpus is hardy in the USDA hardiness zones 8b to 11. But the plant is not tolerant to cold. Hence, temperatures above 55°F to 60°F are ideal.
The shrubs also do well with moderate humidity levels, thus, if you are planting your tree outside these zones.
You can plant the smaller species in a container to overwinter indoors, where they can receive bright light.
Fertilizing Your Podocarpus Plants
These trees do not need regular feeding; using a fertilizer yearly is all it needs when it comes to planting care. With a slow-release fertilizer made for shrubs and trees, it encourages growth. You can feed them in the growing season in early spring.
Also, depending on the soil type, you may need to feed from spring to summer. If grown in sandy soils, you may need to add some fertilizer high in magnesium. Also, stop feeding in the fall to prevent frost damage of new growth.
Repotting and Pruning Podocarpus Yew
You can grow them in a container depending on the species if not a large shrub. These cultivars are excellent if you do not live in warm regions, as you can move them indoors. We recommend choosing containers with enough drainage to prevent an overwatered plant and room for growing.
When you notice the root system filling the container, it is time to repot. Then grip the container at the sides to tap it until the root ball slides out. Next, plant it in a larger container at the same depth as the original container.
While you need not prune, it can be done any time to keep your large genus to small tree in shape. Trimming helps to remove damaged or dead wood. We recommend not pruning in the fall as it will minimize new growth leading to damage in the cold winter.
Podocarpus Varieties
In the species, you find a few varieties you can grow in the garden or indoors.
Podocarpus macrophyllus
Podocarpus macrophyllus @flickr
The Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Maki’ is a dwarf shrub that reaches eight feet in height. You can grow them as a hedge in the backyard. The ‘Maki’ is native to Japan and China.
While non-flowering, you find yellow pollen cones with elongated light blue and fleshy seeds.
Podocarpus gracilior or Afrocarpus gracilior
It is a large tree variety, and best to avoid placing it near structures or foundations. The tree reaches up to 40 feet tall, but pruning helps to keep it maintained.
Podocarpus henkelii
Podocarpus henkelii @flickr
Another unique variety with drooping flat needles gives it a palm-like evergreen appearance reaching up to 35 feet.
Propagating Podocarpus Yew Pine
Propagation of yews you can do through stem cuttings, and you will need a pair of garden snips with a small container filled with well-draining soil to retain moisture with some rooting hormone.
Select some stems with new growth to snip a cutting about six inches.
Remove all the dead leaves at the lower end.
Dip the cut end into your rooting hormone and push it gently into the soil.
Keep it moist, but do not overwater and wait until the root system forms.
Once your seedling is bigger you can transplant it into the garden. Another method to propagate is through the seed. But this takes loads of patience. You will need a plastic bag, a potting medium, and a small container with sphagnum moss.
First, soak the moss in water for about an hour and wring it out. Then, wrap the seed in the moss and place it in the plastic bag in the refrigerator. Please keep checking the moss to keep it moist.
Please leave it in the fridge for two months until roots form.
Then, fill a small container, plant the seed into the potting medium, and moisten the soil. Place the seedling in bright indirect light and transplant it when it reaches a few inches.
Common Problems With Podocarpus Trees
Your Podocarpus can thrive in different conditions year–round and is not bothered by many pests.
When pruned, it keeps these outdoor trees growing healthy and prevents mildew. But some concerns can take place with the foliage.
When you notice brown leaves, they might need water even if it is tolerant against drought. Gray leaves are a sign of overwatering and can lead to decay or other fungal diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seedlings need watering often but check the soil before you water again to prevent fungal diseases, as it must not be soggy.
The plants do not need trimming unless you have a cultivar that you want to form into a shape for a hedge or used for Bonsai art. You can remove the dead and damaged branches at any time of the year.
If only the leaves turn brown, it can be that it needs more water, but if the leaves start to fall and the branches become brittle, it can be mushroom root rot, a fungus that affects the plant.
Yes, podocarpus can generally survive winter in temperate climates, but their specific cold tolerance varies. They are more likely to thrive in milder winters with proper care and protection.
Yes, podocarpus is considered a low-maintenance plant. Once established, it requires minimal care. It prefers well-drained soil, moderate watering, and occasional pruning to maintain its shape and health
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