Tie up yew branches for shaping and to prevent heavy snow damage - Ask Extension
I have an approximately 15' tall yew (I believe common english yew but not positive). When I bought the house 20 years ago it was found laying in the...
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Tie up yew branches for shaping and to prevent heavy snow damage #879917
Asked August 02, 2024, 1:52 PM EDT
I have an approximately 15' tall yew (I believe common english yew but not positive). When I bought the house 20 years ago it was found laying in the yard as a small burlap root ball, left by the builders next door. I planted it at crest of a hillside outside my front (side) door - southern exposure. now 20 years later it is quite large and I've never done any maintenance to it other than water it. The branches now extend towards the walkway partially blocking it. In the winter when the heavy snow bends the branches this becomes more of a problem. How can I go about tieing the branches up so they don't extend onto the sidewalk (and bend under the heavy snow). Ideally I'd like the tree/bush to grow more upright than wide. Picture attached (I'm 5'6" for scale)
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Be carefull when tying up a tree. If a wire is placed around the trunk, and then around the branches, the wire will strangle the tree as the trunk grows and the bark extends around the wire. The tree's water and nutrient circulation is just under the outer bark. As the tree grows, the wire severs the bark and that side of the tree dies for lack of nutrients. I know this from personal experience.
So you could trim off the branches that are on the driveway side. Or try installing metal or other substantial posts next to the driveway and string rope, or fencing between them to prevent the branches from extending sideways. This might work depending on how strong the branches are, and how sturdy the fencing is. I would leave the branches on the opposite side to extend naturally.
So you could trim off the branches that are on the driveway side. Or try installing metal or other substantial posts next to the driveway and string rope, or fencing between them to prevent the branches from extending sideways. This might work depending on how strong the branches are, and how sturdy the fencing is. I would leave the branches on the opposite side to extend naturally.
