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Yellowing yew hedge
Sue Partridge
Posts: 79
We have a short Yew hedge in our garden. We moved the plants (about 4 feet high) from another garden in August. Plants looked good until 2 months ago when three have started to turn yellowy/brown at the tips.
Is this because it was so dry until last week or is it a deficiency in something?The hedge is under a very large conifer and the soil seems very dry.
Please help!
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I think you've anwered your own question to be honest. Under a conifer it is likely to be very dry and any nutrients will be exhausted quickly by the established conifer. There was possibly enough water over the winter and early spring months, but as April has been very dry in the uk (sorry presuming you're in the uk), its placed even more stress on the plants. But may be the same where you are. Can you cut it back to take the load off? What was your preparation of the planting holes like? Any preparation and enrichment of the planting holes may have also helped the pre existing conifer too.
Take off the brown and dying bits to prevent too much die back, the yew (which is a also a conifer) will unusually for a conifer regrow successfully from being cut back to old wood.
I would doubt if root pruning the conifer would be either feasible or sensible, as it might alter its stability. It was just a passing thought to restrict the conifer a bit whilst the yew beacme established, but probably not sensible. The only other thing is to move it sadly. But keep it watered, not waterlogged, mulch and feed it even in winter when it can be dry too & hope it gets over the move and becomes established.
Good luck
Last edited: 19 May 2017 23:31:54
Moving larger specimens will always be tricky, but having them under a conifer adds to the issue. I'd agree with daffyg - water and mulch, then cross your fingers. Cut back a bit and see how it progresses in the next month or two. A seaweed feed will help promote new growth, but you may find they'll always have a bit of a struggle in the location you have them.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you very much for your help.