What's eating my hicksii yew?

Hicksii Yew is most commonly damaged by black vine weevil, whose larvae feed on roots while adults notch leaf margins. Taxus mealybug and scale can build up under the dense canopy. Vine weevil is the headline threat in UK gardens. Deer readily browse yew foliage in winter. Root rot follows waterlogged soil.

Adults notch leaf margins in summer; C-shaped grubs kill plants by feeding on roots, causing sudden wilting and collapse of sections. Apply pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer when soil temperatures are above 5 °C (41 °F). Trap adults with sticky barriers. Use imidacloprid soil drench where permitted.

White waxy masses at branch crotches and under bark; needles yellow and drop, branch tips die back. Scrub visible colonies with a soft brush dipped in insecticidal soap. Apply systemic insecticide (acetamiprid) for heavy infestations; improve air circulation by thinning dense branches.

Foliage browsed from accessible branches in winter and early spring; repeated browsing can kill specimen plants. Deer-repellent sprays or physical fencing. Note that yew is highly toxic to livestock and pets — keep clippings away from animals.

Roots turn brown and mushy; foliage yellows and entire sections collapse, especially after wet winters or in clay soils. Improve drainage before planting; avoid overwatering. Apply phosphonite fungicide drenches and remove badly affected plants to prevent spread.