Arborvitae vs Common yew

Arborvitae and Common yew are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening, specimen, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 3.5 m × 1.2 m after 10 years

A dense evergreen with scale-like foliage, planted in its columnar and conical forms (such as fast Brabant or slim Columna) as a clipped hedge or…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

from about €2.70

Common yew

Taxus baccata 4 m × 2.1 m after 10 years

Its dense, dark green foliage makes a useful evergreen hedge or a clipped garden feature, even in shade. It tolerates pruning well, but eventually…

Hedge

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about €5

Key differences

Arborvitae: We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens.
Arborvitae is hardier: down to -40 °C, against -23 °C for Common yew.
Common yew tolerates drought better than Arborvitae.
Common yew needs less water than Arborvitae.
Common yew also grows in shade, Arborvitae does not.

The data side by side

Feature	Arborvitae	Common yew
Group	Hedge	Hedge
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 1.2 m	4 m × 2.1 m
Ultimate size	0.5–20 m × 0.5–4.5 m	10–20 m × 8–15 m
Growth rate	Medium	Slow
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	no data	March–April, yellow, green
Water need	High	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Medium
Planting distance	70 cm	250 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)	Toxic
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)	Toxic
For children	Toxic	Toxic
Typical price	approx. €8	approx. €8

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 8, 2026

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