What Can I Do About Lichen On Yew Hedge Which Is Killing Branches

Question

Have cut out dead branches & sprayed with fungicide but lichen is spreading

Answer 1

Lichen would not kill the branches so it must be something else that is causing the demise, such as insects or a disease. If you see webbing in the shrubs, they may have spider mites. Spray the shrubs well with Neem oil to stop mites and also scale. You are doing the right thing by cutting out the diseased limbs.

These articles should help:

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lichen-algae-and-moss-trees/

https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/plant-health-clinic/disease-notes/posts/yew-needle-blight.aspx

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2006/5-17/yew.html

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/taxus/

https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=581

https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2109&context=agext

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/yew.html