Same shrubby habit seen in western cultivation. Often grown under cultivar (names) even though such examples at least part of the time just the species.

Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on Wed, Aug 28, 13 at 14:51

Patience is needed with these trees. Below is the image of a wild specimen. This Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc. is discovered on October 13, 2007. It grows on the Changbai Mountain. It is close to 1000 years old.

Close up of a mature specimen:

Obviously in a prime situation. Other conifers (and hardwoods) behave in the same manner, with growth, development and longevity varying with site conditions, climate and destructive event (fire, logging, wind etc.) history.