Yew Collected

I knew from the start this was a somewhat ambitious undertaking. But the material and labor was free so I went for it. I realize that there are several shortcoming overall. Anyways let just get right to what I did:











Some of my concerns, I bought the biggest tub I could find at the store and drilled holes in it and put down a wire mesh... but still a little worries I had to reduce the rootball more than I would have liked. Not sure if there are enough feeder roots for it. I left lots of foliage hoping it would aid in the creation of making more roots until it reaches an equilibrium again, right now lots more foliage than roots. It's stuck in full sun, had no where that would be more shaded that I could anchor it down like I have.

if its not too late, rig up some shade cloth...

i almost think you would want to reduce some of the branches/foliage because isn't it all a two-way street between the foliage and the roots ?

i believe that the foliage needs to support the roots and the roots need to support the foliage...

of course i am open to correction on that

i do know that yew are tough and back-bud easily on old wood so you might could get away with a drastic hi-karate chop back (heeee-yah!)

at any rate, that will be some tough material to design with so many of the branches emanating from the same spot
(it already looked a bit reverse tapereyish)

but like you said, it was free... will be curious to see if it survives the potting up.

Please give us more information than "United States" in your profile. We have a myriad of varied habitats and climate zones and the yew may be a clue, but not a definitive one.

What kind of soil is that?

Kevin is right. You need to remove a LOT (more than half) of the foliage. I'm glad to see some fine roots, but would have like to see a larger rootball.

If I were you, I would immediately get to work on a grow box. Treated 2x6 inch x 4 foot boards for the sides, and a bottom of plywood with a dozen one-inch holes drilled in it and sitting up OFF the ground. You should have, in fact, prepared this larger growing area BEFORE you dug.

It should be in part shade -- quickly.

Having worked on many of landscape yews, I agree with others that your foliage is too heavy for the small amount of roots... I would cut down to the first bit of foliage on each of the trunks, so that if it survives, the next stage of growth will be a little lower on the branches, and this can be repeated in years to come with good care. Shade would be prudent for at least another few weeks before you move it out into full sun... now, wind and sun are your tree's enemies, and there is not enough root to support the moisture loss. Good luck!

It's located at the parents place (I'm doing apartment living) When I get back to the house this weekend I will radically reduce the foliage to bring it more into line with the amount of roots I was about to keep. As for soil it is a mixture of crushed granite (which I rinsed off first) and perlite, and a 2:1 ratio. I use the pure crushed granite for my other trees and it works fine as a bonsai soil. The pot was pre-prepared and is about 3'x2' and I have lots of drainage holes in the bottom with a screen over them. As for moving it there is no location with partial shade for it. Best I could do is come up with some kind of homemade shade cloth to cover it up.

Beyond removing lots of foliage, and trying to shade it some... anything else to strongly consider if I can't move it?

Try to get your parents to mist it often if you can... Shade cloth would be your best option if you can't move it.

lucky for me I guess that it will be raining everyday this week and overcast. So I should be good to go there for this week until I can get home and cut and shade.