Yews and the excess moisture we are having - Ask Extension
Hi, and thank you for your help.
My mature yews are dropping inner needles. I normally see some loss in the spring, but then the shrub fills in. ...
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Yews and the excess moisture we are having #873054
Asked June 13, 2024, 9:45 PM EDT
Hi, and thank you for your help.
My mature yews are dropping inner needles. I normally see some loss in the spring, but then the shrub fills in. Researching online I found that excess moisture can also cause dead needles.
Should I fertilize the shrubs? I have 'job' spikes for evergreen and also a general fertilizer containing potash.
Thank you again,
Lisa
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Yews do not like excessive water and can suffer from root rot. We have had a very wet spring and if you have clay soil it is water logged.
That said, it is normal for yews to loose their inner needles.
Don’t fertilize. It is a good rule not to fertilize when your trees and shrubs are stressed. Let them acclimate - they can usually do it on their own.
The fertilizer spikes are not helpful. That fertilizer will never spread out beyond the spike. When you do fertilize, use a liquid or granular fertilizer.
Thank you Deb! Did not know that about the spikes.
Lisa
