Sign Up
Click on links below to jump to that question.
- Q.My Gardener Over-pruned The Yew Pine On One Side. Does This Affect The Health Of The Tree? - Gardener was trying to keep the tree from overgrowth on neighbor's yard. He attempted to trim back to the property ...
- Q.Is It Safe To Harvest Vegetables Near A Yew Shrub? - Hello, Over the summer we moved into a home a handful of tall yew shrubs. I had placed my vegetable ...
- Q.Should I Prune Young Yew Plants? - Last April I planted some young yew (about 5 or 6 inches in height). They appear to be doing well ...
- Q.Why Are The Tips Of The Branches Of My Yew Bushes Turning Brown? - I have had it for 33 years and never had a problem. I have done nothing different.
- Q.Yew Tree Advice - I have several yew trees that have been stifled by being surrounded by other trees and starved of light. They ...
- Q.The Tops Of My Taxus Hicksii Yew Look Cut Off. Would An Animal Be The Culprit? - Every day we’re finding clippings on the ground. It started with one and this is happening to the others now. ...
- Q.Can I Cut Back An Overgrown Yew In August? - This yew is very overgrown and almost gutter-height. I’ve lived here two years and pruned back each year, but it’s ...
Asked by
bhughesclan on
May 19, 2020
92673Q.My Gardener Over-pruned The Yew Pine On One Side. Does This Affect The Health Of The Tree?
Gardener was trying to keep the tree from overgrowth on neighbor's yard. He attempted to trim back to the property line but in doing so, had to prune back to the trunk in places.
Answered by
BushDoctor on
May 21, 2020
Certified ExpertA.It won't harm it. They do just fine with, even, hard pruning! Here is an article for more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/podocarpus/podocarpus-yew-pine-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!
- Asked by
LynnAek on
November 22, 2020
60010Q.Is It Safe To Harvest Vegetables Near A Yew Shrub?
Hello, Over the summer we moved into a home a handful of tall yew shrubs. I had placed my vegetable container pots nearby before I came to learn how poisonous these shrubs are. I noticed that some of the spruce tips had fallen into the containers and some of the berries had fallen into the rain water I used to water these plants. I didn’t think much of it until I looked if these berries were indeed poisonous or not. To my dismay, not only are the berries poisonous but all the parts of the shrub is very poisonous. Does the poison from the yew shrub transfer to the edible plants that grow near it? What about the water. Does the yew berries poison the water and then the soil, plant, produce, etc.? Your thoughts and expertise on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Lynn
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
November 23, 2020
Certified ExpertA.These rather large molecules will not be taken up by plants, nearby. It will be safe to harvest and consume nearby plants as long as you do not consume the plant itself.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
May 16, 2021Q.Should I Prune Young Yew Plants?
Last April I planted some young yew (about 5 or 6 inches in height). They appear to be doing well this year and are over a foot but spreading sideways. The wine bottle will show their relative size. Should I prune the outer shoots to encourage more central growth or leave alone for another year?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 18, 2021
Certified ExpertA.This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/pruning-yew-shrubs.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 29, 2021Q.Why Are The Tips Of The Branches Of My Yew Bushes Turning Brown?
I have had it for 33 years and never had a problem. I have done nothing different.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
July 10, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Thirty-three years is a long time. Has there been any drought this year or exceptionally high heat, both of which will scorch the needles. Excessive cold will, too, but I'm assuming this just happened recently. If it is environmental, the green growth should appear again in spring.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/winter-damage-on-yews.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Neil S on
August 3, 2021
SussexQ.Yew Tree Advice
I have several yew trees that have been stifled by being surrounded by other trees and starved of light. They are each about 6 foot tall but branches & foliage are fairly sparse. I would like to move them to a boundary and use as hedging but if I do so is there a good chance they will survive the move and recover & develop more branches & foliage ?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
August 3, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Established yews will have a very hard time moving. I would not recommend this. They are adaptable, and responsive to pruning, so that can help to some degree.
Here is an article that will help you, should you choose to move it:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/moving-mature-trees.htm
This article will help you with the, general, care of the shrub:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/yew/growing-yew-shrubs.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Scottielak on
August 18, 2021
Wethersfield, ConnecticutQ.The Tops Of My Taxus Hicksii Yew Look Cut Off. Would An Animal Be The Culprit?
Every day we’re finding clippings on the ground. It started with one and this is happening to the others now. I know they’re poisonous. They are healthy looking, no brown or yellowing
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
August 18, 2021
Certified ExpertA.There are a few animals that will eat these shrubs. Deer are notorious for it. Though, they won't usually leave any behind, or on the ground. There is the thought that it could be human caused. Unfortunately, without catching it in the act, or seeing signs of what it could be, it will be hard to say, exactly, what it is.
Was this answer useful?10 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 24, 2021Q.Can I Cut Back An Overgrown Yew In August?
This yew is very overgrown and almost gutter-height. I’ve lived here two years and pruned back each year, but it’s grown much faster than I expected and I haven’t been able to keep up with it. It completely blocks off the front corner of my house, fully obscuring one window, and half of my bay window. It’s at least 15 years old. Ideally, I’d like to cut it to window sill height, but I’m sure that would be too drastic, since your article said no more than 1/3 of the canopy. I also wish I could cut at least two feet off each side. I have time to take this on now before my classes start, not in late winter. What, if anything, can I safely do to it now? (I’m not allowed to remove it so that’s not an option.) I’d greatly appreciate your help! Thank you, Kim in Cumberland MD, 21502 (Zone 6B and 7A)
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
September 4, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It's too late in the year to prune as it may not have time to harden off before winter. Wait till it's dormant, or you can wait till new spring growth has emerged.
https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/agent-articles/trees-shrubs/prune-evergreens.html
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/pruning-evergreens/
https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2020/6/yews-DT/Was this answer useful?00
Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert
X
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!