April 14, 2008
Will my Cedar/yew bushes grow back where deer ate off greenery on all lower branches this winter?
Can I trim them back or will the bare branches grow new greenery?
Mml s...
Expert
Yews are usually pretty good about growing back from a hard pruning but can take two or three years.
Cedars are less good, but it's possible. The best recommendation probably would be to go ahead and cut them back by around two-thirds (they look awfully high for position of the windows anyway). However, depending on their health and growing conditions, it's possible (but not probable) that they will die. And they will likely take two to five years to really look good again (assuming the deer don't come back again).Otherwise, I'd consider cutting them down completely and replanting with a type of shrub that deer aren't as attracted to (they love yews). Your local garden center staff can make recommendations.Join this conversation.
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