Skip to article

Growing methods

Developing a golden yew (Taxus baccata ‘Summergold’)

In 2010, we were helping friends to redesign their garden and discovered this yew tree. Unfortunately, it was growing in a very unfavorable place and therefore had to go. It was too good to throw away and it wasn't particularly good as bonsai starting material either, but we took it anyway because a Taxus baccata "Summergold" is very rare as a bonsai.

Explore the article
Growing methodsPractical article / Bonsai Kreativ

Figure 1

Here you can see the yew before it was dug up.

Figure 01/09

Figure 2

In the second spring I was able to carry out the first design.

Figure 02/09

Figure 3

In 2012 I was finally able to start the preparatory work for the deadwood, because the front of the trunk was not expressive and needed a bit more drama. The first step was to remove the bark and treat it with lacquer balm.

Before you start working with the deadwood, you must let the bonsai rest for at least a year, because the active sap paths have to build up new paths.

Figure 03/09

Figure 4

In 2013, I continued with the deadwood work. I used the natural wood grain and hollowed out the trunk further. This technique allows you to achieve an old look.

Figure 04/09

Figure 5

The yew was allowed to grow until 2016 and has thus gained enough foliage for a first fine design.

Figure 05/09
Figure 06/09
Figure 07/09

Figure 6

Here you can see the yew tree after the 2018 fine-tuning.

Figure 08/09
Figure 09/09