Anglojap yew (Taxus × media): when and how to prune

Taxus × media

Anglojap yew (Taxus × media) is best pruned in April, June and September.

Updated on 11 October 2026

Key facts
Pruning months	April, June and September
Nesting season (15 March–15 August)	Take care in April and June
Good for bees, butterflies and birds	Yes, for birds
Native to Belgium	No, planted
Poisonous to people and pets	Yes, take care with children and pets

Anglojap yew (Taxus × media): when to prune it?

Clip a hedge in June and again in September. Hard renovation pruning is done in April.

What else to prune in those months? April · June · September

Clip the hedge slightly narrower at the top than at the base, so the bottom gets light and stays dense.
On a young hedge, trim only the sides and let the top grow on until it reaches the height you want.
An over-wide hedge can be cut back to the main stems in April: yew regrows from old wood. Do one side this year and the other side next year.
Wash your hands after pruning and clear up the clippings straight away.

There are 3 pruning periods a year: April, June and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

Pruning in April and June can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Caution: All clippings are highly poisonous, even when wilted. Keep them away from children, pets and grazing animals.

This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.