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How To Take Yew Cuttings

Susan Burgess, Head Gardener at Pitmedden Gardens in Aberdeenshire, Scotland shows you how to take a cutting from a yew tree and pot it. Enlarge

How To Take Yew Cuttings

Susan Burgess, Head Gardener at Pitmedden Gardens in Aberdeenshire, Scotland shows you how to take a cutting from a yew tree and pot it.

You Will Need

  • yew tree branch
  • 1 pair secateurs
  • 1 plant label
  • 1 pencil
  • 1 pot
  • compost mixture

Method

Use a mixture of compost and sharp sand. Fill the pot three-quarters full with the compost mixture.

Select a cutting from your yew branch that is a few inches in length. Peel over the lower leaves on the cutting using your fingers. If there are any loose bits on the end of the cutting, trim these with the secateurs. Make a hole in the centre of your with the pencil and place the cutting in. Firm the cutting in gently using your fingers and then water it in.

Write the name of the plant and the date on which it was potted on to the label and place it in the pot. Keep the cutting out of direct sunlight and in a frost-free location.