Irish Yew is an evergreen grown as either a tree or shrub, depending upon the size that it is kept. It grows 15 to 30 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide, though it will do so slowly. Usually used as a hedge or screen, it makes a bold vertical statement. Needles are dark green above, streaked with dull green and narrow shining midrib below. Generally it is female, but male flowers appear on isolated branches.
Best grown in evenly moist, fertile, sandy-loam to clay-loam soils with excellent drainage in part to full shade. Tolerant of considerable pruning, though if pruned selectively, rather than sheared will preserve its natural form, reduce future pruning work, and allow you to enjoy the bright breen new foliage. Synonymous with T. b. 'Fastigiata.'