Brown yew needles that later fall off are rarely a sign of disease. It is more likely that the yew tree has dried up. Yews are very robust trees, but they need a little attention, especially in the early days after planting. How to prevent the yew tree from drying out.
What to do if the yew tree has dried up?
A dry yew tree can be saved by watering it regularly without waterlogging, cutting dry branches and applying a layer of mulch. Frost-free days in winter are optimal for additional watering to prevent drying out.
Signs of a dry yew tree
- Brown Needles
- dropping needles
- dry branches
If the yew tree has a lot of brown needles that fall off and the branches break easily, you can assume that the yew tree has dried up.
You can try to save it if there are still some he althy branches on the tree. Cut the yew back heavily and water the tree regularly. But avoid waterlogging.
Why does the yew tree dry up?
Yew trees have very soft evergreen needles. They evaporate a lot of water through these needles, so a yew tree always needs well-moist soil.
Older yew trees are generally not at risk of drying out. They have long, deep roots that allow them to absorb enough moisture from deep locations.
In freshly planted yews and trees that have only been growing in the garden for a few years, the roots are not yet strong enough. It is therefore necessary to water the trees more frequently.
Don't forget the yew tree in winter
Like many other trees in the garden, the yew is often forgotten in winter. This can be a problem if the winter is very dry. Constantly frozen ground that does not allow moisture to reach the roots also harms the yew tree.
Water the yew on frost-free days, especially if you have only planted it in the last few years. This will prevent the yew tree from drying out.
Protect yew with mulch
Lay a layer of mulch under the yew tree in spring. This means the moisture stays in the soil longer. At the same time, the decayed mulch fertilizes the soil and supplies the yew with nutrients.
Tip
After winter, some yew trees also have brown needles without the tree having dried out. This needle discoloration is caused by strong exposure to the winter sun. It's not dangerous, the yew recovers very quickly in spring.
