What's eating my canadian yew?

Canadian Yew is most threatened by deer, which browse foliage heavily in winter, and by taxus mealybug. Black vine weevil larvae attack roots, while scale insects colonize stems. Despite yew's toxicity to many animals, deer and rabbits still feed on it readily, making physical barriers the most reliable defense.

Browsed and stripped foliage and stems, especially in winter when other food is scarce Install deer fencing or use repellent sprays (e.g., Bobbex, Deer Out); choose sheltered planting sites

White waxy masses in stem crevices; yellowing, stunted growth and sooty mold Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; remove infestations by hand with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab

Notched leaf margins from adult feeding; larvae girdle or destroy roots causing sudden wilting Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to soil; use sticky barriers on stems to trap adults

Brown waxy bumps on stems and branches; yellowing foliage and dieback Spray dormant horticultural oil in late winter; use systemic insecticide (imidacloprid) for heavy infestations