Don't count on it!. That is a very extreme measure and will create physiological stress which the trees may not be able to recover from. Not to mention - ugly.
It depends on the water availability and soil fertility. The poorer the growing conditions, soil and water management, the greater the chance of mortality.
Professional arborist best management standards for pruning are to not take out more than 25% of the foiage and wood in any one to two year time frame, especially for most conifers.
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We plan to plant them in our recently done landscaping in a shaded protected area.
Yes, you will want at least one male in your yard to pollinate any females nearby. If there are no shrubs nearby, then there will not be berries.
This article will give you more information on the care of these shrubs: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/growing-yew-shrubs.htm
My Yews lost most of the needles during the winter, but the tips are still green. Is this from deer or is this 'winter burn?
It could be winter burn, depending on the variety that you have chosen. Alternatively, if your area remained wet for too long, it could be a fungal infection. A photo will help me to confirm one way or another. Please include a photo, and I will be more than glad to take a look and see what is going on.
See picture. Once two identical trees next to the building. Building superintendent went crazy with a saw on his own. Question: is the damaged tree going to die? If not, will it ever grow back to look like the other one? A second picture shows the needles in detail [I don't know what kind of tree it is]. Thanks so much. We need to decide what to do with the results of this inappropriate action, remove and plant another tree, try to save it?. Asked for an email, but have no objection to you using the question. Jim PS: Accidentally duped one of the photos
Yews are very forgiving so I would wait this out till next summer and see how it does. You might show him this article, though, before he trims the other one.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/pruning-yew-shrubs.htm
Can the seeds of the Japanese yew be planted to go?
They can. They require at least two seasons interchanging cool and warm temperatures first, though. They are propagated easier by cutting.
These articles will help:
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/lppi/sp376.shtml
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/japanese-yew-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/trimming-japanese-yew.htm
Yews are already in winter outfitter's fabric bags.
They are hardy to zone 4 but if they are in pots and you aren't going to plant them before winter you can wrap the pot in burlap or bubblewrap. Or, you can sink the whole pot in the ground and bring it up again in spring.
Here are more ideas:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/overwintering-container-plants.htm
30+ years old and 5-6 feet high. Some plants are turning brown and appear to be distressed or dying. Please advise.
There won't be any way to nail down the Genus or the species, since yews span several.
Usually, the most common Yew used will be Taxus baccata.
Unfortunately, damage like this can occur from many things. Typically, this is caused by damage to the trunk (like being nicked while doing yard maintenance). It can also be caused by weather fluctuation. Removing the dead growth is appropriate, but other than that they will heal on their own.
Here is an article that will help you with the care of the shrub:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/growing-yew-shrubs.htm