Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Plant the Upright Yew (Podocarpus) in a location that provides well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Upright Yew is a large growing evergreen shrub that is useful in the landscape as screen or buffer or clipped, formal hedge. It can also be sheared in a columnar form where it is useful in foundation plantings to accentuate an entryway or in narrow spaces.

To plant, dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and two to three times the width of the root ball and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed, perhaps by establishing a raised bed/mound. Turn and break up the soil removed from the planting hole. If the native soil is dense, compacted or heavy clay, mix in a good organic compost or soil amendment at a 50/50 ratio with the soil removed from the planting hole. Remove your plant from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the hole you've prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil level. Pull your backfill soil mixture around the root ball in the hole, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Then water thoroughly and cover with a one to two-inch layer of mulch.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Upright Podocarpus Yew does not require pruning however it can be clipped or sheared as needed to form hedges or a columnar topiary. Cease pruning two months prior to the first frost date in your area. Heavy pruning should be done in late winter, before new growth begins to emerge in spring.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
Fertilize Upright Podocarpus Yew in spring and again in late summer with a well-balanced, slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
I haven't seen any serious insect, pest or disease problems with Upright Podocarpus Yew.