Many hedge plants, in addition to the yew also beech, thuja or (mock) cypress, react sensitively to too much moisture or even waterlogging. But how do you recognize waterlogging in yew trees and what helps against it?
How do I recognize waterlogging in yew trees and how do I combat it?
You can recognize waterlogging in yew trees by browning needles, drying shoots, root rot and pest infestation. To combat waterlogging, you should stop watering, set up drainage and, if necessary, move or cut back the yew trees.
How do you recognize waterlogging in yew trees?
Typical signs of too much moisture or even waterlogging are
- Brown color of the needles
- Drying up individual shoots
- later expansion to other plant parts
- Appearance of wilt and/or pests
- Root and root collar rot
Because affected plants initially look like they are drying out, an accurate (and quick) diagnosis is difficult. If it appears dry, don't immediately reach for the watering can, but take a closer look at the yew:
- Control of the soil even at depth: dry, moist or even wet?
- Root check: Do roots appear he althy or are they brownish, muddy and smell unpleasant?
What is the best way to combat waterlogging?
Fighting waterlogging is also a complicated matter and is rarely crowned with lasting success. The reason for the damage is often location-related:
- heavy, loamy soil
- poorly permeable soil
- Planting at the foot of a hill
- Planting on a well-watered lawn
- no drainage for rain, e.g. B. because of concrete edges in the floor
In many cases, the only thing that helps is to transplant the affected yew trees and cut them back heavily. If this is not possible or not desired, you should:
- Stop watering immediately
- also watering any adjacent lawn
- Remove drip hoses etc.
- Ensure that the soil has sufficient drainage (€18.00 on Amazon) (e.g. incorporate sand)
Once needles have turned brown and/or dried out, they no longer turn green, which is why you should definitely cut back the yew tree.
Why is waterlogging harmful to plants?
If the yew roots are constantly in soil that is too wet, they will rot. Rot pathogens establish themselves, which can also spread to above-ground parts of the plant and infect them with wilt. Rotten roots, in turn, are no longer able to transport water and nutrients to leaves and shoots. The paradoxical consequence is that the plant dries up despite sufficient water supply.
Waterlogging with associated root rot usually leads to the death of the plant, depending on the severity. The best thing is usually to remove affected hedge plants, significantly improve the soil (e.g. by replacing the soil, digging in sand and installing drainage) and replanting the hedge.
How often do you have to water yew trees?
Yew trees develop deep roots as long as the soil is permeable and loose. That's why the coniferous tree can usually handle drought well and usually doesn't need any additional irrigation.
In fact, you should only water yew trees in sandy soil, as this is often too dry. Additional irrigation can also be useful in very dry summers. However, laying drip hoses or similar for regular watering is not necessary and can actually cause a moisture problem in the first place. Therefore, water by hand with a watering can or garden hose as needed.
Tip
Causes of brown needles
If the needles of the yew tree turn brown, there could be other causes besides waterlogging. For example, conifers react in this way to a poor supply of nutrients, especially when there is an excess of potassium. But weak root formation, for example due to soil that is too heavy or a lack of fertilization, also causes brown needles. When planting, make sure you have a sufficiently large planting hole, loose soil and plenty of compost.
