How to Keep Yew Hedges Under Control

Yews, a narrow-leaved evergreen, remain attractive whether they are allowed to maintain their natural shape or pruned severely into a hedge. The shrubs tolerate heavy pruning but regrow slowly, so only minimal pruning is necessary unless the shrub hasn't been pruned in some years. Like most evergreens, the best time to prune a yew shrub is in late winter or early spring right before the first spring flush of new growth. Yews also benefit from a light pruning in late summer if you prefer a more formal looking hedge as opposed to a natural shape.

Pruning shears
Hedge trimmers

Instructions

- 1
  Cut back dead and damaged wood in early spring, using a pair of hand-held pruners. Cut back individual branches to the nearest healthy wood to maintain a natural shape.
- 2
  Trim back the entire shrub in early spring for a formal hedge. Remove up to one-third of the current growth with hedge trimmers, from both the top and sides of the yew hedge.
- 3
  Maintain the proper shape of the yew for both natural and hedge forms. Prune so the top of the yew is narrower than the bottom. This allows sunlight and rain to reach the bottom branches so the bottom of the yew doesn't become sparse and weak.
- 4
  Prune the yew a second time in late summer. Cut back overgrown branches to maintain the basic shape of the shrub. Only light trimming to maintain shape is necessary in late summer.

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