AT A GLANCE
How do I properly dispose of clippings from a yew tree?
Clippings from a yew tree can be disposed of at a recycling center, a landfill or via a container service. Alternatively, it can be composted by chopping it up and mixing it with other plant debris. Protective clothing when handling yew trees is recommended.
Where can you dispose of clippings from a yew tree?
In principle, all clippings that accumulate in the garden, in addition to the pruning of the yew hedge for example grass clippings, in Germany dispose of in different ways:
- Recycling center or other collection points
- container service
- landfill
also read
Most municipalities and communities have their own collection points (called recycling centers, for example) where you can dispose of certain types of waste for a small fee. The fees due vary greatly, but you will usually receive a collective invoice at the end of the season in autumn. If there is a lot of clippings (e.g. if you want to remove the hedge), ordering a container can be worthwhile.
Can you put yew trees on the compost?
However, you can also cut the yew compost. The toxins it contains are rendered harmless by the decomposition process, so you don't have to worry about that. Instead, the problem is that yew wood rots very slowly due to the anti-rot ingredients it contains. You can work around this problem by using the yew tree
- as small as possible chop
- mix on the compost with leftover fruit and shrubs
- bring the mixture to the compost only in thin layers
- a compost accelerator use
But be careful: the clippings of diseased yew trees, for example with fungal infestation, must not be put on the compost. You should dispose of these with household waste.
What happens when you touch a yew tree?
That all parts of the yew including the needles and the berries highly toxic and can cause severe poisoning should be familiar to just about every gardener. The toxin is taxine, which causes severe symptoms of poisoning and even death. To do this, however, you would have to eat parts of the yew, for which a few needles or seed-bearing berries are sufficient.
Merely touching has no drastic consequences, but you should be careful when cutting measures solid protective gloves and wear long clothes. Plant sap sticking to fingers can at least cause a rash.
How do I prevent pets from getting to the compost?
If the coniferous tree is composted, another problem arises: How do you prevent pets or children from getting to the toxic clippings and, for example, from the glowing red berries try out? In this case, the only thing that helps is not to store the compost in the open. Instead, close it well, for example in a quick composter that is closed all around. This also has the advantage that the yew remains rot faster.
Tip
use yew wood
The reddish yew wood is hard and at the same time very elastic. In earlier times it was often used to build bows and musical instruments, but today it is mainly used for high-quality furniture. Did you like a larger yew tree? Then you can dry and use your wood, for example for handicrafts or carpentry work.
