Hardly any native coniferous tree tolerates pruning as well as the yew. It actually forgives any cut. So you can hardly go wrong if you cut back a yew heavily. A strong pruning is possible at any time.

The yew tolerates pruning well, but grows very slowly

Yews tolerate pruning very well

The yew is so robust that it can even withstand being cut back to stick. It will reliably drive out again.

It can also be shaped into any desired shape. Whether you want to cut a ball or create other figures - with the yew there are hardly any limits to your ideas.

However, with a strong pruning, you must note that the yew grows very slowly. It sometimes takes two to three years for a yew tree that has been severely cut back to grow tall and dense again.

When is a strong pruning of the yew necessary?

  • tree too tall
  • Yew hedge no longer tight
  • rejuvenate yew
  • topiary

Basically, you don't have to cut a yew tree at all. If you like it and you have enough space for it, you can simply let the yew grow.

The best time for pruning

The yew doesn't care when you cut back hard. You shouldn't necessarily use scissors in the summer when the sun is shining brightly, as the needles on the cuts then turn brown.

If you value flowers and fruits, cut back in early summer. You can then see where infructescences are. The female flowers are rather inconspicuous. The male flowers are created in early autumn, so you should not cut the yew in autumn.

Rejuvenate yew by severe pruning

Old yew hedges tend to become bare on the inside. In this case, a strong pruning can be very useful to rejuvenate the yew trees. For this purpose, the trees are thinned out and cut back.

As a result, the lower regions of the hedge get more light again and the yew shoots many new small branches there.

tips

Since yews are highly poisonous, be sure to wear gloves when cutting. Be careful not to get needles or cuts in your face, as the poisonous sap can cause allergic reactions on the skin.

Category:

Trees