I'm new! Don't know what kind my tree is

[Cghy.2512]

SO my dad picked up this tree second hand last autumn, I've been following the basic instructions of watering it about twice a week and feeding it in the summer but wanna take better care.
I have no idea what kind of tree it is and couldn't work it out on my own. Also not sure what to do about the lack of leaves on top, there's loads of new ones on the bottom so it's clearly not dying but still. Thanks!

 

[CT Yankee]

SO my dad picked up this tree second hand last autumn, I've been following the basic instructions of watering it about twice a week and feeding it in the summer but wanna take better care.
I have no idea what kind of tree it is and couldn't work it out on my own. Also not sure what to do about the lack of leaves on top, there's loads of new ones on the bottom so it's clearly not dying but still. Thanks!

A picture's worth a thousand words.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Without even a description of the tree itself, this is going to be pretty difficult.

 

[Srt8madness]

Well so far I'm pretty sure it is a plant, and goes through photosynthesis. Past that its anyone's guess.

 

[sorce]

Nice.

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Cghy.2512]

I could have sworn I attached some, woops . I'll get some good pics in the morning

 

[Cghy.2512]

Okay HERE are some pictures haha

 

[Juanmi]

I'm not sure, but my guess is a Taxus

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

I think it is a Taxus Baccata.

 

[Cghy.2512]

That does actually look like mine, thanks!

 

[Paradox]

Hi2U @Cghy.2512

Make sure to keep that tree outside.
Yew are outside trees and will die if kept inside.

Also, get a chopstick or piece of dowel and stick it into the soil and leave it there. Take it out and look at it every day. Water the tree when it is almost dry. This is a better method that just watering on a schedule and will teach you exactly when the tree needs to be watered

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

My guess is that it's a podocarpus and not a taxus.

 

[nuttiest]

Hi2U @Cghy.2512

Make sure to keep that tree outside.
Yew are outside trees and will die if kept inside.

Also, get a chopstick or piece of dowel and stick it into the soil and leave it there. Take it out and look at it every day. Water the tree when it is almost dry. This is a better method that just watering on a schedule and will teach you exactly when the tree needs to be watered

the dowel method... is there a better visual indicator, like a clay dowel or something easier to read?

 

[nuttiest]

SO my dad picked up this tree second hand last autumn, I've been following the basic instructions of watering it about twice a week and feeding it in the summer but wanna take better care.
I have no idea what kind of tree it is and couldn't work it out on my own. Also not sure what to do about the lack of leaves on top, there's loads of new ones on the bottom so it's clearly not dying but still. Thanks!

this needs to be cut back to the new growth but you will have a more compact tree

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Probably Podocarpus species

 

[Paradox]

the dowel method... is there a better visual indicator, like a clay dowel or something easier to read?

Just a wood dowel or wood chopstick. If its wet then you dont need water, if its almost dry, it needs water.
Not hard to see that at all

 

[Mayank]

I was going to say Podocarpus also.