My five foot yucca has survived winters unscathed for many years. However, the winter of 2010/2011 took its toll and left the plant with a mass of brown dead leaves. I started by trimming back the leaves but it then looked a sad mess. I decided the best approach was to saw it back to some low buds. As the picture shows, it is now sprouting well and hopefully will make a well shaped plant as the summer progresses.

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Thanks David for your info re the Yucca Tree. I also am a laid back gardener. I take loads of piccys of my neighbours flowers, we provide the large stretch of green grass in between their 2 gardens.
I wondered what happened to the tree. The leaves are withered and brown,as you say, and there are half a dozen re growths low down on the tree. I will now chop off the top half of the tree as you did!
Thanks,
Mary
PS Love your photos.!.
Thank you for your kind comments Mary. The Yucca Tree has continued to fill out over the summer. I now have my fingers crossed that the frost does not affect it this winter.
Best wishes,
David.