The Japanese Yew, also known by its many common names like Podocarpus, Yew Podocarpus, Buddhist Pine, and False Japanese Yew, is an evergreen conifer known for its glossy, deep green slender leaves that are 3”-5” long and less than .5” wide. New growth emerges in a lighter green shade, maturing to a rich, dark green that persists year-round. It has a dense, upright branching habit that responds well to pruning. Per Neil Sperry, they’re best in morning sun with afternoon shade and they do suffer from freeze damage in extreme winters. Japanese Yews are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees. An added bonus with female trees is the production of dark blue-purple colored berries in the fall and winter. It is important to note that all parts of the tree can be toxic to dogs if ingested, with even small amounts leading to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, possibly causing dehydration in your dog.