Pruning overgrown spreading yews - Ask Extension
We have a group of 4-5 yews that have have grown into a large clump and are encroaching on the adjacent steps. We trimmed that area back for clearanc...
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Pruning overgrown spreading yews #798961
Asked July 01, 2022, 11:19 AM EDT
We have a group of 4-5 yews that have have grown into a large clump and are encroaching on the adjacent steps. We trimmed that area back for clearance but noticed that the inside of this clump is all bare branches. The yews are 3-4 feet tall and all of the growth is on the 8-10" at the ends of the branches. How can we prune these bushes to keep them healthy and maintain a manageable size?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
You can prune these yews but do not cut all the way back to bare branches. The inner branches are bare because they have not had access to sunlight. Fortunately, yews do have latent buds and pruning tends to bring the out of dormancy. As you shape them, the top should be narrower than the base to allow for sun access. You can prune 1/3rd off. Next year another 1/3rd after they have had a chance to fill in. Yews should be pruned after new growth is showing although they are quite forgiving.
Thank you for your response, I have a question to clarify your advice. When you say prune 1/3rd off, do you mean one third of the total branches or one third of each branch that we prune? Or both of those?
Ask Extension wrote on 7/1/22 8:17 PM:
Ask Extension wrote on 7/1/22 8:17 PM:
When pruning your spreading yews, you typically trim around the edges (or shape) of the plant. The only time you would cut off a branch is if it were completely dead. The bare branches inside are not dead as shown by the growth further out. As I stated, make sure the top is more narrow than the base to allow sun to penetrate. It doesn't have to be extreme but just a little narrower.
I'm afraid I'm still not getting it. As you can see from the photo, it will take some work to get to a point where the sunlight can penetrate -- it's dark underneath now. So how far down the branch can I trim? Getting back to the thirds that you mentioned in your original response... did you mean that I can prune 1/3 of the branches? Take off 1/3 of the length of the branches that I trim? Both?
Ask Extension wrote on 7/2/22 10:11 AM:
Ask Extension wrote on 7/2/22 10:11 AM:
Ok, think about peeling an apple. You go around the outside. That is what you are going to do with your shrubs. Start with pruning off three/four inches rounding off the sides at the top. The top can be flat as long as you round those edges. Then look at your shrubs. If there is still a lot of green on the branches you can remove a little bit more. You can't paste back on what has been cut off if it is too much. Even removing those inches will make a difference to your shrubs. This may be a multi-year project to reduce the size. They look very healthy so congratulations on the care you have given them.
