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How can we revive a yew hedge?

Posted by CMGGarden&Home on June 21, 2009 at 8:39am in Plants
Does anyone out there know how to manage a sick yew hedge? We were asked to trim a long, six-foot high, eighteen month old hedge planted originally by reputable landscapers, which now doesn't look at all happy.It has quite a lot of brown bits, some gaps (particularly near the bottom) and we've had to remove a couple of the plants. Following advice we have left the top shoots till autumn and only trimmed the sides to neaten it.It is on quite poor soil so we mulched it with compost but that doesn't seem to be working. Could it just be thirsty?Any advice or help gratefully received.
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  • PRO
    Phil Voice June 21, 2009 at 8:48am
    Hi Frances (..or is it Charlie;-0)

    I have always followed the rule of trimming the top first to stimulate side growth and only one side. You don't say if there is adequate growth in depth that goes into the trunk?

    Yew tend to like rich well drained soil but not too wet. Keep an eye out for Phytophthora

    Could you post a photo?

    Kind regards


    Phil
  • Nick Steele June 21, 2009 at 12:38pm
    Were the plants originally container grown ? Vine Weevil love Yew, and its possible the plants are simply struggling against an infestation of lavae. Also, if its only been in 18 months, its possible / likley that it hasn't been managed very well - kept watered and fed, so plenty of TLC is probably in order.

    I'd concentrate initially on getting it established by feeding and watering. Check the roots for vine weevil and drench with an insecticide if necessary. And if it then starts to look better, prune back to shape - Yew responds very well to pruning.
  • Laurel June 21, 2009 at 9:44pm
    I have nursed a similar Yew hedge back from near death. All I did was run a soaker hose the full lenght of the hedge, weaving between the trunks. Set a timer for about 3hrs watering a day. After a couple of weeks of watering, add a bit of Growmore (or similar) around the base.

    It'll take a long while before the hedge will be back to normal and, you may still need to replace a couple.
  • CMGGarden&Home June 21, 2009 at 11:05pm
    You guys are all so wonderful. What would we do without this help? This time it's Frances, but Charlie is the one battling with the hedge. Thank you so much Phil and all the others too. I will take a pic this week when we visit on Thursday and you can all take a view. I think watering is the key because I haven't detected signs of disease - yet! He has an irrigation system but I don't think he's using it. Bit of persuasion needed maybe. Love you loads Fxxx

    Philip Voice said:
    Hi Frances (..or is it Charlie;-0)

    I have always followed the rule of trimming the top first to stimulate side growth and only one side. You don't say if there is adequate growth in depth that goes into the trunk?

    Yew tend to like rich well drained soil but not too wet. Keep an eye out for Phytophthora

    Could you post a photo?

    Kind regards


    Phil
  • pete June 22, 2009 at 8:54pm
    I am no expert but mightn't this be an example of why hedging, yew in particular is best planted small (which should also ensure growth at the bottom) ie, at one foot tall. One foot tall yew plants can catch up three foot ones in the course of nine years (might sound a long time but the hedge isn't going on holiday with you) and with plants six foot tall at planting time - mortality can be 50 per-cent.
    On this instant hedge site http://www.pracbrown.co.uk/home.htm"> they recommend watering a new 6' hedge every other day for two years!
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