A column-shaped growing Taxus that remains narrow when young but later grows broader. The branches grow straight upwards at first, later bending somewhat. Short, squat lateral branches grow on the vertical branches. It is a slow grower that develops a dense, closed crown. Height 5 - 10 m, width 1.5 – 2.5 (5) m. Young twigs are green. The needles are arranged in a spiral and are very dark green. This female clone does not have very remarkable flowers. The fruit, on the other hand, is. Seeds are covered 4/5 by an oval, fleshy, red case that is 0.6 – 0.7 cm long. 'Fastigiata' bears profuse fruit. The cultivar 'Fastigiata Robusta' remains significantly narrower and has darker green needles. 'Fastigiata Aurea' takes on a column shape with yellowish green needles.