How Do You Cut Yews

To make a yew tree bushier and fuller, just clip off the outer growth. This heading cut stimulates new growth and makes the tree look rounder and fuller. Be careful not to trim the top of a yew until it has reached your preferred height plus a few inches.

When should yews be pruned?

The best time to prune your yews is shortly before the yews start growing in spring, usually in mid- to late March in our area. There may be a window of opportunity in early April if the weather has been cold.

How do you shape a yew?

Cutting your yews into a pyramid or similar shape is a good choice. Use pruning shears to maintain the shape of the yew. To maintain a perfectly shaped yew, snip off new growth that extends past the desired shape using hand pruners or pruning shears.