Badly overgrown yew - Ask Extension
Hi,
Last year we moved and got this yew in the front of the house (under the front windows)that is badly overgrown. It has extremely long branches, ...
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Badly overgrown yew #877005
Asked July 12, 2024, 2:57 PM EDT
Hi,
Last year we moved and got this yew in the front of the house (under the front windows)that is badly overgrown. It has extremely long branches, intertwined, with only a little of green leaves on the tips, so when I tried to trim it last fall (removed about 15%), it was mostly the greenery that was cut, as a result it exposed more bald wood and started to look very sad.
1. Is there a way to rejuvenate this in one year (2 years most) and make it look like a nice green dense hedge?
2. If we decide remove it, what are some things to keep in mind? How long the removal is going to take? Is this something that we can do ourselves or a specialized landscaper is strongly recommended?
3. If it is somethingbthst can be done by homeowners, what educational resources would recommend to study?
4. We are considering planting boxwood with the intent to trim it into a rectangular hedge. Is there a specific boxwood species you would recommend? This north side of the house, partial shade. We have deers and rabbits roaming in the neighborhood.
5. What other plants would go well with boxwood? The area size is 15 feet long and 9 feet wide. I was considering the following lineup: boxwood, peonies, hosta, tulips, muscari, daffodils. My intent is to ensure there is always a green hedge and at least one flowering plant each month from early Spring to late Fall.
Thank you!
I wonder if it makes sense to keep it
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Yews are very forgiving of heavy pruning and will regrow needles on bare branches, although it may take one or two years. Yours is planted very close to your house, which is not ideal. Here is more information about yews:
https://campustrees.umn.edu/japanese-yew
If you decide to remove it, you can cut it at or below ground level with a chain saw and wait for the roots to erode or have the stump ground. You could hire this done, as yews are very dense wood and difficult to cut, or do it yourself. Here is an article about removing it yourself -https://www.marthastewart.com/8067201/how-remove-rooted-trees-shrubs-garden
Look for a Korean boxwood if you choose to go this route. It's the only one hardy enough for Minnesota conditions. Deer generally do not eat boxwood. Your plant lineup looks good, except deer do like tulips, so you'll need to use a repellent or other protection to keep them safe. The U of Mn Arboretum has a plant finder tool that may be helpful to you; it has a program that might help you find plants matching your landscaping site conditions.
https://arb.umn.edu/plant-finder.
Good luck with your project.
https://campustrees.umn.edu/japanese-yew
If you decide to remove it, you can cut it at or below ground level with a chain saw and wait for the roots to erode or have the stump ground. You could hire this done, as yews are very dense wood and difficult to cut, or do it yourself. Here is an article about removing it yourself -https://www.marthastewart.com/8067201/how-remove-rooted-trees-shrubs-garden
Look for a Korean boxwood if you choose to go this route. It's the only one hardy enough for Minnesota conditions. Deer generally do not eat boxwood. Your plant lineup looks good, except deer do like tulips, so you'll need to use a repellent or other protection to keep them safe. The U of Mn Arboretum has a plant finder tool that may be helpful to you; it has a program that might help you find plants matching your landscaping site conditions.
https://arb.umn.edu/plant-finder.
Good luck with your project.
