I'm new to my job as a groundskeeper and I need some advice. This winter seems to have been pretty tough on the yews around our property. About 3/4 of the yews are severely damaged... about 3/4 of the plant itself is bare and brown. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Depends. Is your season as late as ours in Western Canada? We're behind by about 3 weeks. The reason I ask is because you might want to wait a bit longer to see if the winter damaged parts begin to be replaced with new growth. Has new growth started? If yes, cut back the dead parts and the branches will probably resprout, I doubt they are dead-dead. If there are new buds on the brown branches cut a bit above them. cheers.