I find no mites. The needles are not chewed (as in weevil damage). The tops are full of new growth.

I'm close to Lake Michigan, 30 miles north of Chicago. We've had a wet spring and early summer. No other plants are showing damage.

Could this be a fungus? What could I safely try -- at least to eliminate fungus as a cause?

Another possibility is that some small animal - cats, raccoons, etc. - is making a passage under or next to those particular yews, and the frequent pressure against the needles is killing the needles off. A light scattering of flour on the ground should show up tracks overnight, if animals are a factor.

If neither of the above is a possibility, then I agree with Bboy - try the Extension office. Or, there are several good arboreta in the Chicago area, and one of them might be able to help you. Samples of the affected leaves/branches, possibly of the soil, and photos would be of great help to either set of experts.

I'm most afraid this is due to a fungus coming from old roots of crabapple trees that we removed eight years ago. Still, it's only involving four shrubs and we removed six trees (because they were the old, non-scab-resistant type).

I posted because I wanted to try a fungus spray in case this is a topical problem. Would that be an unreasonable thing to try? I just don't know what to use.

I've thought of building a small fence around it but it would look silly. The only repellent that works so far is cayenne pepper, or sometimes black. But first you have to wash down the plant and area near it and re-apply the pepper after each rain! Any ideas?

I printed it out on 8.5x11 and then had it laminated and mounted it to a stake. Worked.

There is something called Dog And Cat Repellent at Lowe's. I sprinkle that around the yard to try to keep critter population in check. I think the chipmunks and friends don't like it. It might work on your problem.