Yews do equally well in sun and shade. In some locations, like the south side of a building, yews may winterburn. Bright Winter sunlight reflecting off the building and surrounding snow may warm the needles of the yew. When the sun sets or goes behind a cloud, the temperature of the needles will drop rapidly, causing freezing damage. In the Spring, the damaged needles turn brown and die. Yews in open sites can be exposed to strong, drying winds, which remove all the moisture from the needles. This damage also turns brown in the Spring. Trim the brown branches off after new growth starts in the Spring. In most cases, those branches are still alive and will resprout.

Wrapping a yew in burlap or putting up a burlap sun screen that shades the yew will help protect it from sunburn. Burlap should be installed in late Fall, just before the snow arrives, and removed as the snow leaves.

Spraying the yew in the fall with an anti-transpirant, like Wilt Pruf helps to protect it from wind burn. Wilt Pruf seals the needles, preventing excess moisture loss.

Come into Bachman's Garden Center, we will be happy to show you what you need to protect your yews.

For further information, read online our care sheet on "Protecting Trees and Shrubs in Winter".

Revised: 03/10/98