Torreya californica

This rare and stately evergreen tree (40-75') endemic to California features very stiff yew-like needles, female trees produce large, plum-sized dark green fruits which turn purple in fall, these were once used as a food source for Native Americans, the wood was also used for bows; slow growing, but worth the wait! Our trees are unsexed. S-PSh/M

YEW would know this rare member of the yew family that occurs with only a few species in China, Florida and along the Pacific West Coast. All have tiered branches and a wonderful fragrance to the foliage. This species, an understory or chaparral dweller to 30' or more under favorable conditions, has cones on adult plants, seed structures that become drupe-like when mature, a single seed covered in red to purple flesh. Yum! One of the better conifers for West Coast drought situations. Stun your friends with it's prickly foliage – or not. Our plants' parents were in the southern Siskiyou Mountains of Shasta County California. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7. Not lovers of high summer heat with humidity.