Pest identification
What's eating my pacific yew?
Deer
Signs: Stripped foliage, broken branches, and bark rubbing from antler velvet removal
Control: Use tree tubes or wire guards on young plants; deer fencing for larger plantings
Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Notched leaf margins from adult feeding at night; larval root feeding causes dieback and plant death
Control: Apply beneficial nematodes to soil in late summer; sticky trunk bands to intercept adults
Taxus Scale (Parthenolecanium pomeranicum)
Signs: Crusty brown bumps on bark; general decline, yellowing needles
Control: Dormant oil spray in early spring before bud break; prune and destroy heavily infested branches
Keep pacific yew pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pacific Yew pests — FAQ
What is eating my pacific yew?
Pacific Yew faces its greatest threat from deer browsing, particularly on young plants in the understory. Black vine weevil is a serious root pest, and scale insects colonize bark. Its slow growth makes damage especially damaging since recovery takes years. Physical protection of young trees is essential.
How do I get rid of deer on pacific yew?
Stripped foliage, broken branches, and bark rubbing from antler velvet removal Use tree tubes or wire guards on young plants; deer fencing for larger plantings
How do I get rid of black vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on pacific yew?
Notched leaf margins from adult feeding at night; larval root feeding causes dieback and plant death Apply beneficial nematodes to soil in late summer; sticky trunk bands to intercept adults
How do I get rid of taxus scale (parthenolecanium pomeranicum) on pacific yew?
Crusty brown bumps on bark; general decline, yellowing needles Dormant oil spray in early spring before bud break; prune and destroy heavily infested branches