Pest identification
What's eating my chinese yew?
Taxus Scale (Parthenolecanium pomeranicum)
Signs: Brown waxy bumps on twigs and stems; yellowing needles and branch dieback
Control: Dormant horticultural oil in late winter; systemic imidacloprid for heavy infestations
Taxus Mealybug (Dysmicoccus wistariae)
Signs: White cottony masses in stem joints; sticky honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Dab with rubbing alcohol; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil, repeat every 7–10 days
Deer
Signs: Foliage and young shoot removal; bark scoring from antler rubbing
Control: Deer fencing or repellent sprays; tree guards on young plants
Keep chinese yew pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chinese Yew pests — FAQ
What is eating my chinese yew?
Chinese Yew grown outdoors is most commonly attacked by scale insects along stems, and by taxus mealybug. Deer and rabbits browse foliage where present. Root rot from vine weevil larvae can cause sudden decline. When grown as an indoor or container specimen, mealybug and scale are the dominant threats.
How do I get rid of taxus scale (parthenolecanium pomeranicum) on chinese yew?
Brown waxy bumps on twigs and stems; yellowing needles and branch dieback Dormant horticultural oil in late winter; systemic imidacloprid for heavy infestations
How do I get rid of taxus mealybug (dysmicoccus wistariae) on chinese yew?
White cottony masses in stem joints; sticky honeydew and sooty mold Dab with rubbing alcohol; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil, repeat every 7–10 days
How do I get rid of deer on chinese yew?
Foliage and young shoot removal; bark scoring from antler rubbing Deer fencing or repellent sprays; tree guards on young plants