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Proper Pruning of a Yew shrub or Taxus in garden or yard in USA

Yew shrubs are one of the most popular hedging shrubs for gardens and landscaping. These shrubs look very good in trimmed shapes and control too much noise around the house. 

Like every lawn shrub, yew shrub pruning is very important on regular basis. If you are a beginner and never touched any pruning or trimming tools, then it is better to ask for expert help otherwise you may injure yourself. 

Though, DIY pruning of yew is very easy for intermediate gardeners the right technique and method are important. Don't worry, I'll give help you here to prune yew shrubs at the right time with a suitable method. 

Pruning yew shrubs in the backyard

The timing of pruning is very important as its method of pruning is. Yew shrubs sometimes get dry leaves, and yellowish leaves(because of bad soil), and sometimes grow faster. So inspection of shrubs should be your priority.

Pruning Yew shrubs in USA

 But before that let's understand the reasons for pruning and the right time to prune a yew shrub. 

Why prune yew shrubs in the yard?

You have multiple reasons for pruning a yew shrub in your backyard or landscaping-

  • To keep in shape

Pruning helps to keep the yew shrub in suitable shape so that it will grow healthy and look good for landscaping purposes. 

  • To provide full sunlight

Pruning extra and unnecessary thick branches makes a barrier for sunlight to reach the lower leaves or underneath leaves of yew shrubs. Pruning help to make tiny paths for sunlight to reach there. 

  • To remove dead leaves

After winter, most of the yew shrubs get their leaves yellowish, dry, and dead sometimes. To remove these leaves, keep the plant healthier, and provide chances for new twigs and leaves, pruning is very important. 

When to prune yew shrubs?

Mostly, mid-spring to mid-summer is the best time for pruning yew shrubs. Too early or too late may create some stress for new leaves to grow properly. 

Pruning yew shrubs in fall is not a good idea at all because of further winter sensitivity. New leaves and twigs may hesitate to grow at the natural rate because of winter stress. 

Tools required to prune yew 

Considering you're an intermediate gardener and know how to use trimming and cutting tools safely, you need the following tools and a safety kit for pruning a yew shrub- 

  • Trimming scissors
  • Small cutter machine
  • Safety gloves 
  • Safety glasses

Step-by-step pruning a yew shrub

Step 1- Inspect your Yew shrubs before pruning

Firstly, you should not work fast while pruning yew shrubs. Inspect your yew shrubs closely to figure out and mark the dead leaves and branches, brown leaves, and drying sections as well. 

Step 2- Keep your tools ready for pruning

Now, choose your tools according to the step you're going to take further. Don't forget to wear safety gloves and glasses while pruning yew shrubs.

Step 3- Remove the dead and brown leaves and branches first

Now, remove the dead and brown leaves sections first from yew shrubs. Don't ignore the yellowish leaves because, in the following summer, they're going to get dry soon. 

If you see branches are dead with the leaves as well, remove the whole from yew. 

Step 4- Trim the excessive leaves

After removing all the dead leaves and branches, you need to prune and trim the excessive green leaves and branches. This will help your plant to keep in control and shape. Remove the leave only from twigs but not the whole branch. 

Step 5- Remove the sunlight-blocking branches

Now, check those branches that are blocking the sunlight to reach the mid-section and the bottom. Mark them all and remove them at the tip just to make space. Don't remove the whole branches or you'll suddenly ruin your yew shrub. 

Step 6- Consider and shape and prune accordingly

Finally, consider a landscaping suitable shape of yew shrub in your mind and trim it accordingly. Don't remove more leaves and other branches from the midsection. Use your trimming tools and make it a proper shape. 

Step 7- Collect the trimmed waste and clean the ground

I hope you pruned your yew shrubs properly till now with the DIY method and I've added some value to provide you helpful information about pruning. 

Finally, collect all the trimmed leaves and branches and clean your ground with the help of a plastic or metal rake.

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