Yew shrubs (Taxus species) are a popular choice for residential landscaping due to their dense, deep green foliage. These evergreens are frequently used for hedges, foundation plantings, and sculptural garden elements, providing year-round structure to a yard. However, the increasing presence of white-tailed deer in suburban and urban environments introduces a significant conflict. This common landscaping plant often becomes a target for browsing deer, creating a problem for property owners trying to maintain their yard.
Deer Browsing Habits and Yew Preference
Deer browse on yew, especially when preferred natural food sources become scarce. This feeding behavior is most noticeable during the winter months, when snow covers the ground and deciduous plants have shed their leaves. Because yew retains its foliage year-round, it offers a readily available source of green material for a deer’s winter diet.
A single adult deer can consume several pounds of woody browse per day, and yew is one of the evergreens they particularly favor. They often nibble on the tips of branches, moving from plant to plant rather than completely stripping one shrub. This selective eating can quickly ruin the shape and health of a hedge.
Toxicity of Yew
The yew plant is one of the most poisonous woody species found in landscapes. The toxicity is attributed to potent cardiotoxic alkaloids known as Taxine, primarily Taxine A and Taxine B. These compounds are present in nearly all parts of the plant, including the leaves, bark, and seeds, with the exception of the fleshy red fruit covering, or aril.
The Taxine alkaloids act as calcium channel antagonists, directly interfering with the electrical activity of the heart muscle. Ingestion can lead to severe cardiac dysrhythmias, nervous system issues, and rapid death in many mammals. This extreme toxicity poses a significant risk to domestic animals like horses, cattle, dogs, and cats, which are more sensitive to the toxin than deer. Humans are also susceptible, and even dried yew clippings remain dangerous.
Identifying Deer Damage on Yew
Homeowners can confirm that deer are responsible for plant damage by examining the physical signs left on the plant. The characteristic sign of deer browsing is the ragged, torn appearance of the remaining stems. This results from the deer’s anatomy, as they lack upper incisor teeth, forcing them to clamp down with their lower teeth and dental pad and then jerk their head to tear the material away.
In contrast, smaller animals like rabbits and voles have sharp incisors that leave a clean, angled cut on the twigs. Deer browsing damage is typically found from the ground up to six or seven feet, marking the maximum height a deer can reach while standing. Damage consistently above the typical browsing height of a rabbit, especially if accompanied by frayed branch tips, strongly indicates the presence of deer.
Practical Strategies for Protecting Yew
The most effective way to prevent deer from feeding on yew is through physical barriers that block access to the foliage. The gold standard for exclusion is a permanent fence that is at least eight feet tall, as deer are capable of jumping over shorter barriers. For individual or smaller groupings of yew, tall wire mesh cages or cylinders placed around the shrubs can provide a discreet solution.
Protective mesh or netting can be draped over shrubs to cover the foliage, which is a cost-effective choice for low-lying plants. When physical barriers are not feasible, topical deterrents offer an alternative approach by making the plant unappealing. These repellents work by using offensive odors or bitter tastes, but they must be reapplied frequently, especially after rain or snow, to maintain efficacy. Rotating the type of repellent used is also recommended, as deer can become accustomed to a single product.