Hello- I have mature yews in my front yard - two of which have lost most of their needles. Their stems seem to be alive when I bend them. The new growth is yellow. The yews in a hedge are beginning to lose their needles also, but the back of the hedge is producing new growth and is more dense. When the winter began, all the yews were healthy. Can you explain this mystery? What would you suggest to help these yew to become healthy again? My husband wants to put miracid on them, but I'm afraid that that in their weakened state, it might kill them. Thank you for any advice you can give me.

Most of the damage seen over the last several seasons can be tracked back to the drought of 2012. Lots of roots were lost and plants have slowly declined in health. Miracid products should not harm and may help to some extent. As long as twigs are pliable and dark green beneath the bark, they are alive and could produce new buds. If the are dry, pale green beneath, they are likely gone.