Pest identification
What's eating my repandens yew?
Black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Adults notch foliage at night; larvae in soil sever roots, causing yellowing, wilting, and sudden plant death — especially damaging on low-growing cultivars.
Control: Nematode drenches (Steinernema kraussei) in late August to September; follow label instructions for soil temperature and moisture. Imidacloprid drench for severe cases.
Taxus mealybug (Dysmicoccus wistariae)
Signs: White waxy colonies in stem crotches; needles yellow and fall; the dense low canopy traps humidity, worsening outbreaks.
Control: Thin dense interior branches to improve airflow. Apply insecticidal soap or systemic insecticide targeting crawlers in early summer.
Fletcher scale (Parthenolecanium fletcheri)
Signs: Soft brown scales on stems in summer; mass crawler emergence coats new growth and weakens plants.
Control: Dormant horticultural oil; insecticidal soap to target crawlers in June. Hand-remove scale clusters from accessible branches.
Deer
Signs: Browsed branch tips — the spreading habit puts all foliage within easy reach of deer.
Control: Physical barriers or repellent sprays. Note: yew foliage and berries are toxic to livestock, horses, and dogs.
Keep repandens yew pest-free
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Repandens Yew pests — FAQ
What is eating my repandens yew?
Repandens Yew, a low-spreading English yew cultivar, is particularly vulnerable to black vine weevil because its ground-level branches give adults easy root access. Scale and mealybugs favor its dense interior. In UK gardens, vine weevil is the headline concern. Deer browse it heavily in winter, and waterlogged winter soil invites Phytophthora.
How do I get rid of black vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on repandens yew?
Adults notch foliage at night; larvae in soil sever roots, causing yellowing, wilting, and sudden plant death — especially damaging on low-growing cultivars. Nematode drenches (Steinernema kraussei) in late August to September; follow label instructions for soil temperature and moisture. Imidacloprid drench for severe cases.
How do I get rid of taxus mealybug (dysmicoccus wistariae) on repandens yew?
White waxy colonies in stem crotches; needles yellow and fall; the dense low canopy traps humidity, worsening outbreaks. Thin dense interior branches to improve airflow. Apply insecticidal soap or systemic insecticide targeting crawlers in early summer.
How do I get rid of fletcher scale (parthenolecanium fletcheri) on repandens yew?
Soft brown scales on stems in summer; mass crawler emergence coats new growth and weakens plants. Dormant horticultural oil; insecticidal soap to target crawlers in June. Hand-remove scale clusters from accessible branches.
How do I get rid of deer on repandens yew?
Browsed branch tips — the spreading habit puts all foliage within easy reach of deer. Physical barriers or repellent sprays. Note: yew foliage and berries are toxic to livestock, horses, and dogs.