Whitish Needle Tips On Yew

[mrcasey]

Does anybody know what the discoloration on these needles indicate. It started on a few needles and has spread. It's not yellow or brown - it's off white. It just
appears on the needles. I took it out of a grow pot and noticed that the roots were kind of sparse but healthy.
I pinched repeatedly through the summer (maybe a bad idea?). A lot of the bark has peeled away from the trunk.
There is no sign of bugs or critters.

 

[_#1_]

It looks like cotton candy

 

[just.wing.it]

Pics needed.

 

[mrcasey]

 

[just.wing.it]

That is weird.
Haven't seen it before...
Not finding anything like it online either...
Is it in tons of sun?

 

[mrcasey]

It was in lots of sun over the summer but is now in a bit of shade. I have another one about the same size but with a bit more foliage. It has no discolored tips.

 

[_#1_]

Maybe acclimate it to afternoon shade? Have you been fertilizing them with acidic fert?

This looks strange, almost variegated like...

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

If it is not spreading, I would not worry. Looks like a little sun burnt or maybe a drought reaction. If you were one day late on watering over the summer, that could be the cause. As long as it doesn't spread, it will be fine.

 

[Vance Wood]

Yews seem to do well in the shade, I bet if you moved your tree into the shade it would improve, then gradually move it out. I have found this to be the case with Shimpaku Junipers.

 

[Dav4]

My guess would be drought stress.