Pest identification
What's eating my japanese plum yew?
Deer
Signs: Foliage and stems heavily browsed, especially in winter when other food is scarce; can severely disfigure or kill young plants
Control: Deer netting or wire cage around young plants; deer repellent sprays reapplied after rain; established large shrubs tolerate browsing better
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or whitish bumps on stems; yellowing needles; sooty mold on honeydew deposits in sheltered sites
Control: Apply horticultural oil in late winter; follow with insecticidal soap spray in early summer; improve air circulation if plants are crowded
Black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Characteristic U-shaped notches on leaf margins at night (adult); larvae in soil girdle roots causing wilting and dieback
Control: Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer for larval control; use sticky traps or hand-pick adults at night
Keep japanese plum yew pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Japanese Plum Yew pests — FAQ
What is eating my japanese plum yew?
Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) is notably pest-resistant. Mealybugs and scale can infest plants in sheltered spots, and deer — unlike with true yews — will readily browse this shrub. Root weevils may notch leaf margins. The greatest pest pressure in most gardens comes from deer, making it a paradox: tough for insects, vulnerable to browsing.
How do I get rid of deer on japanese plum yew?
Foliage and stems heavily browsed, especially in winter when other food is scarce; can severely disfigure or kill young plants Deer netting or wire cage around young plants; deer repellent sprays reapplied after rain; established large shrubs tolerate browsing better
How do I get rid of scale insects on japanese plum yew?
Brown or whitish bumps on stems; yellowing needles; sooty mold on honeydew deposits in sheltered sites Apply horticultural oil in late winter; follow with insecticidal soap spray in early summer; improve air circulation if plants are crowded
How do I get rid of black vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on japanese plum yew?
Characteristic U-shaped notches on leaf margins at night (adult); larvae in soil girdle roots causing wilting and dieback Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer for larval control; use sticky traps or hand-pick adults at night