Drying

• Preserve part of your yew hedge for years to come by drying some of its small, needled branches. Begin by snipping off a piece of the yew that you want to preserve, such as a branch with berries. Use a string or tape to secure the branch upside down in a cool, dry place. Let it sit for about three weeks. After the branch has dried, use this part of the yew as a decoration by displaying it in a vase or laying it across a table.
  
  

Coloring

• Add some extra flair to a dried yew branch using paints. Lay a dried yew branch on a blank piece of paper that's set up in a well-ventilated area. Using a colorful spray paint, spray over the entire branch of the yew. Use one solid color, or decorate the branch further with multiple colors or glitter paints. Allow the paint to dry on the branch before flipping it over to paint the other side. Consider displaying the paper backing, too, which will be decorated with the silhouette of the branch.
  
  

Model

• Create your own model of a yew plant using paper and a few other craft supplies. Select a piece of dark green construction paper or card stock, then cut it into six-inch long strips that are about two inches wide. Place the paper with the long sides facing vertically, then glue a green pipe cleaner along the center of the strip. Using a pair of scissors, snip horizontal cuts about one-half inch apart along the left and right sides of the paper. These should reach the piping in the middle without cutting through it. This fringe will represent the needles of the yew branch. Continue this process with a dozen or more pieces of paper. Place the finished model yew branches in a bunch, twist the bottom of the pipe cleaners together and open the yew branches in every direction. Further decorate the model plant by creating paper birds, squirrels or berries, which you can attach to the yew with glue.
  
  

Wreath

• Decorate for Christmas or any other festive occasion by creating a wreath with yew branches. Start by forming a wire hanger into a circle shape, leaving the hook unaltered, which you can use to hang the completed wreath. Cut eight-inch to 10-inch long branches from a yew plant. Secure the branches one at a time around the perimeter of the wire hanger, holding each piece in place with lightweight floral wire. Be sure to overlap the branches enough so that the stems don't show. When the circle is completely covered, use a hot glue gun to attach other decorations into the wreath, including flowers, ribbon and bows.