Relocated Yew Tree - is it dead?

[wilippa]

A little while ago my neighbour replanted a small yew tree which had been dug out of one of our flower borders - my garden is a law unto itself and has many self-seeded plants in inapproriate places. Given that my neighbour planted the tree in the grass border opposite our house we suspected it would not last long and would be chopped down or otherwise removed by the council. However, so far it has survived - even the council's mowers have avoided ending its short life - and it has been there for about a year.
This morning we noticed that the needles on our little tree are completely orange - is this a normal sign of autumn/winter or is the tree dead or dying?

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by wilippa

A little while ago my neighbour replanted a small yew tree which had been dug out of one of our flower borders - my garden is a law unto itself and has many self-seeded plants in inapproriate places. Given that my neighbour planted the tree in the grass border opposite our house we suspected it would not last long and would be chopped down or otherwise removed by the council. However, so far it has survived - even the council's mowers have avoided ending its short life - and it has been there for about a year.
This morning we noticed that the needles on our little tree are completely orange - is this a normal sign of autumn/winter or is the tree dead or dying?

At this time of year and on through to the spring, Yew trees will lose a large percentage of their 'needles'. They normally turn yellow before falling.
Your small tree will do the same, however if all the leaves have turned yellow and are falling, then it does not look good.
I would leave it until May/June, by which time fresh leaves should have emerged at the growing tips,
if not, it's 'game-over' I'm afraid.
Dorts.

[King Edward]

If you want the tree to survive, it would be a good idea to weed away the grass around it as this will compete with the tree's roots for water and nutrients.

Also, to discourage the council from mowing it down, you could try making it look planted and cared for rather than just like some random seedling. Perhaps a couple of stakes a foot or so on either side would stop them mowing it, at least not without deliberately targeting it.

[wilippa]

Hmmm, I shall have a closer look at my little treeling and see if it really is ALL the needles that have turned. I'll also keep an eye on it until the spring and see if it acquires new shoots.
Thank you for your advice - it's been very helpful. i'd like the tree to survive - i'm rather fond of it now.