Analysis of Taxus Planting Techniques and Extension Key Points

Taxus, also known as yew, is an evergreen coniferous plant of the genus Taxus in the family Taxaceae. It mainly grows and is distributed in North America, northern Europe, and China's Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Greater Khingan Mountains, Taihang Mountain range, Qinling Mountain range, Funiu Mountain range and other regions. The main varieties include North American Media Taxus and Florida Taxus, as well as China's Yunnan Taxus, Northeast Taxus and southern Taxus, etc.

I. Growing Conditions

Taxus is a plant of the genus Taxus in the family Taxaceae. There are 11 species worldwide, all distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, and China has 4 species and 1 variety. Taxus mostly grows at altitudes of 800-3200 m in valleys, river valleys, shaded and damp areas under forest canopy beside gullies, or on shady and semi-shady slopes, with a few growing among coniferous and broad-leaved forests and around houses.

In terms of soil, it prefers brown forest soil, yellow-brown soil and purple soil, and requires fertile, loose soil with a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5.

This type of tree is a shade-loving species and prefers a warm, humid environment, but it has strong adaptability to the environment. For example, the introduced Media Taxus, after improvement, can be planted on flat land, and it is not affected in areas with sufficient light. It also has well-developed lateral roots, is drought-tolerant and cold-tolerant, and has a full crown.

This type of tree species does not have high light requirements and generally only needs side light exposure. However, most varieties prefer a warm, humid environment and are suitable for a subtropical climate with many rainy and foggy days and annual precipitation of more than 800 mm.

II. Planting Conditions

The development of Taxus can be carried out according to the terrain, landforms and other environmental conditions of each place. It can be planted in dense tea-garden-style planting, or by single planting, interplanting or mixed planting. It is suitable for barren slopes, riverbanks, areas in front of and behind houses, field ridges, field edges and other areas that meet the planting conditions. After planting, branches and leaves can be harvested in the fourth year.

III. Geographical and Climatic Conditions

The terrain and landforms of Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province, are distributed in a stepped pattern according to high mountains, low mountains, hills and flat land, with an average altitude of 800 m. Many areas have U-shaped terrain, which is very favorable for Taxus growth. Due to the influence of the Qinling Mountains (China's north-south dividing line), the whole city lies between the subtropical and warm temperate climatic transition zones, with an average annual temperature of 14°C, an extreme maximum temperature of 38.5°C, and an extreme minimum temperature of -5°C; the average annual total sunshine is 1750 h, the annual total radiation is 130.5 kcal/sq cm, and the average annual frost-free period is 268 days, forming climatic characteristics of no severe cold in winter, no extreme heat in summer, warmth and humidity, and four distinct seasons.

IV. Hydraulic Resources

The main rivers within Hanzhong City include the Han River, Jialing River, Ju River, Bao River, Lengshui River, Qingshui River, Youshui River, Muma River, etc. The basin area of these rivers is about 39235 sq km, with an average annual runoff of 18.85 billion cubic meters and a theoretical hydropower resource reserve of 2.6 million kilowatts. The abundant hydraulic resources create air humidity, which meets the growth requirements of Taxus.

V. Soil Conditions

The entire territory of Hanzhong City lies between the Qinling Mountain range and the Bashan Mountain range, forming a large river valley belt. Soil types mainly include yellow, brown, dark brown, silt soil and paddy soil, etc. According to geographical conditions, the soil between altitudes of 500-800 m is mostly silt soil and paddy soil; the soil between altitudes of 800-1500 m is yellow and brown; and the soil above 1500 m is brown and dark brown. These soils are basically all slightly acidic soil, with a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5, and the soil is loose and fertile, making it ideal soil for Taxus growth.