If you know what this shrub is called, I would love to know. Also, when and how much can I prune it. We have only lived here for a few years and it has doubled in width. It's at least 15 feet wide and it has a twin back there on the other side of the yard. They are starting to take over. My instinct tells me to wait until Spring to prune so it doesn't try to send out tender new growth before winter hits. Am I correct? How much could I safely prune it back? That's another important question. I don't want to kill these two monsters. Just rein them back in. Any suggestions?
Thanks everyone!
hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteyou have a Yew. March or April is the best time to prune before new growth. it is a bit out of control so you may need to be harsh the first time pruning. they will grow back. I have seen them just about cut to the ground and come back. it can be a nice hedge if pruned properly.
Awesome! Thanks! I've been wondering what these were since we got the house. They were proportional to our backyard back then. Now, as you can see, they are taking over. They'll have a date with the pruners next year. The birds and bunnies won't have to worry though. I won't go too crazy with the pruning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for solving my mystery. I really appreciate the help Alan!
Kim
Your shrubs look like the ones I got about 20 years ago. I know for a fact yours are definitely yews and if they're the exact kind mine are, they're hicks yews. We trim ours in April here in PA. Ours are about 8 feet high now. We'll trim them down some in the spring, take a foot or so off of them, but you can always take more off of them if you want to. I don't think we've ever taken more than two feet off of ours, but we've always kept after ours pretty well (trimmed every or almost every year).
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy! I think I'll be taking off about 2 feet all around. I don't want to go too crazy with the pruners and put too much stress on them. I'd feel sick if they would die from shock.
ReplyDeleteHow much do you think I could prune them at one time? Have any of you pruned multiple feet off of them at one time?
I can't wait until I get my chance to tame these guys.
Kim
I'm no plant expert, so I'd hate to even say really BUT if it were me and really wanting to take a lot off of them, that's probably what I'd do. We leave ours high for privacy from our neighbors (they're into drugs and stuff, and I really want to pretend they're not there..lol).
ReplyDeleteHow tall are yours? If I understand correctly, the one bush is 15 feet wide?! Wow, I wonder how old they are. I honestly don't know without looking it up how tall hicks yews are capable of getting. We trim ours once a year and like to keep them at eight feet for the most part. Trimming them helps to keep them full/bushy. However short you decide to make yours, I'd definitely wait until spring to do the trimming.
I would say that they are around 8 feet tall and about 15 feet wide. I'm pretty sure they have been around for many years...if not decades. I wazs told the previous owner neglected the yard. That was obvious when we moved in. What else was obvious is that a gardener once lived here. The owner before that loved gardening and had lived here for about 50 years. Since the house was built. The trees and shrubs in the back were definitely planted many, many years ago.
ReplyDeleteLots of thought was put into their placement. There is a "hedge" of blue spruces along the back. Most of the bottoms are gone due to age. There are these two yews planted on both sides of the backyard. Then there are two American Holly trees on each side as well. They must be 40-50 feet tall. Absolutely gorgeous and huge for a neighborhood like this. The birds and squirrels adore those trees.
I have no doubt that these yews are really old shrubs. They look great though. Definitely vigorous. :) If I can get them into the 8-10' wide range I'll be happy. I would only want to take off a foot or two of height. Just enough so I can see some of the shrubs along the back of the yard. I will definitely take your advice and wait until Spring.