Question
I have a long yew hedge that has seemed generally healthy for more than five
years.  This year, however, tips of many branches and even some entire branches
are turning brown and falling off.  Yet there is a good deal of new growth on
other branches.

Answer
If there has been drought over the past couple of years in your location, this could be one of the causes.  There are also fungal twig and branch blight that can cause branch death in yew.  I would cut the dead branches out of the hedgerow.  Then I would sit back and watch for further spread of dead branches.  I you see more death I would treat the hedgerow with Daconil fungicide according to label directions for ornamentals.  Let me know if you further assistance.  Thanks