Pollen Cones (pollen strobili) on Yew

[DrBonsai]

Should I remove the pollen cones on a developing yew ?
Does it help conserve resources for the tree to develop more needles or branches ?
If removal is advised do you just twist them off ?

 

[0soyoung]

Much ado about nothing whether you knock them off or not. The energy drain is in the fruit-like cone (i.e., seeds are a carbohydrate stores).

However, bonus points to you Dr for knowing the term 'strobili' .

 

[Dav4]

One of my yews forms these pollen cones every spring. I was told years ago to remove them by rubbing them off...I'm generally too busy with other bonsai related stuff to bother and the tree doesn't seem to mind. Remove them if you like, but don't worry about it if you don't.

 

[DrBonsai]

My first inclination was to leave them alone, However, there were so many on the tree
it concerned me. As far as knowing "strobili", Google Search is a wonderful thing !
Another fun fact, evidently yew pollen from the cones is highly allergenic 10/10 on a scale of ten.
Wiki quote;"
Allergenic potential[edit]
All parts of a yew plant are toxic to humans with the exception of the yew berries (however, their seeds are toxic); additionally, male and monoecious yews in this genus release cytotoxic pollen, which can cause headaches, lethargy, aching joints, itching, and skin rashes; it is also a trigger for asthma. These pollen granules are extremely small, and can easily pass through window screens. Male yews bloom and release abundant amounts of pollen in the spring; completely female yews only trap pollen while producing none.[4]
Yews in this genus are primarily separate-sexed, and males are extremely allergenic, with an OPALS allergy scale rating of 10 out of 10"

 

[GGB]

mine billows yellow clouds when I bump it. haha no wonder i've had headaches all week