Yew Problems

Yews are quite sensitive to deicing salts used on roadways and sidewalks. Plants that have been affected by these salts typically turn brown starting from the side closest the area salted. Symptoms usually first appear in the spring.

How do you rejuvenate a yew?

Prune them in early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, and water them through the summer. It may take a few years, but the yews will revive — so vigorously that only annual pruning will hold them in check.

What is killing my yews?

Yews are notorious for quickly yellowing and dying in wet or water-logged soil. Even a brief period of water-logged soil can result in root rot and plant death. Dieback has been associated with yews growing in very acid soils (pH 4.7-5.4) or very alkaline soils (pH over 7.5).

Why is the yew tree called the tree of death?

Superstitious monks, he continues, believed that the yew could drive away devils. Its roots, he thought, were poisonous because they will “run and suck nourishment” from the dead, whose flesh is “the rankest poison that could be.”

Can Brown yew recover?

Yew hedge plants are enormously tough and recover even when they look dead and gone.

How do you keep yews healthy?

Fertilizing the Yew will help promote new growth. You might want to give the yews a little extra care this summer by watering when we get into very hot, dry weather. All that new growth will use more water than the mature stems you are removing. An inch of water a week is ideal.

What is the lifespan of a yew?

Yew may be able to live for 3,000 years although 1,500 may be more frequent. All yew will be ancient from 900 years onward (early and pre Norman), although many will have ancient characteristics from around 500 years. Ageing of yew trees is very difficult.

When should yews be cut back?

The most ideal time to cut a yew hedge is in early spring, around about March. It will then start shooting again in April. You can easily cut yews right back, down to the old wood — they can tolerate that.

When should you not trim yews?

As a general rule, heavy pruning should not be done after August 15. The reason for this is that trimming stimulates new growth which may not have sufficient time to harden off before the onset of frost and cold weather in the fall.

Are yews low maintenance?

These plants are tolerant of many conditions, from drought and shade to sun and moist soil. With a little annual maintenance, you can keep these shrubs shaped into all sorts of different designs. Just be careful planting these around small children and animals because most parts of yews are poisonous if ingested.

Will a yew grow back if I cut it down?

A yew (Taxus spp.) is a most forgiving shrub. The evergreen can be cut all the way to within 6 inches of the ground and come back strong. Unlike most evergreens, a yew takes well to even harsh pruning because of its ability to regenerate new buds from old wood.

How can you encourage yew growth?

Grow yew in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to full shade. Water well as the plant establishes and then you shouldn't need to water again – yews do best in slightly drier soils as they can succumb to root rot in damper conditions. Trim established hedges in summer. Standard yew trees need very little care.

Is yew poisonous to touch?

All parts of yew are deadly poisonous, except for the flesh of the berry.

Do yew trees live forever?

Could a yew be immortal? Yews are incredibly long lived - in fact they live for around 900 years before they become ancient. That's compared to around 400 years for an oak tree. Ancient yews can then expect to go on thriving for thousands of years.

Why are yews planted in graveyards?

It was sacred to Hecate, Ancient Greek Goddess of Death, Witchcraft and Necromancy, and was said to purify the dead as they entered the underworld of Hades. Celtic druids also saw yew as sacred and planted it close to their temples to use in death rituals.

Does yew grow back from old wood?

Yews are long-lived plants that can grow quite large over time, but they can be pruned back down to a manageable size. Unlike most other conifers, yew will regenerate from old wood.

Can you over water a yew?

A: Yews are sensitive to being overwatered or planted in sites that are too wet. It is likely that this is the problem with your yews, since they are planted near a downspout. In too-wet sites, these shrubs will decline in vigor, and the foliage will thin and turn yellow.

Do yews need a lot of water?

Yews require minimal watering. During drought conditions, weekly watering is recommended. Adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help to retain moisture in the soil.

Why are my yew bushes turning yellow?

When yews are planted in a site that is too wet, they will lose vigor and gradually start to turn yellow. If the wet conditions persist, the yellow color will continue to deepen and then turn brown as the plants die.

Do yews need to be covered in winter?

Yews and Alberta spruce are the most susceptible to winter wind and sun burn. It is, therefore, advisable to keep these plants wrapped with burlap from top to bottom, beginning in the late fall. Never use plastic as a wrap - even in the winter months plants must be able to breathe.