19. Yew

Common Name – Yew

Latin Name - Taxus baccata

Height - 20 Metres                   Spread – 8+ Metres  

The ‘Yew’ tree is one of the longest living native evergreen tree species in Britain (400 to 600 years of age) and as such, ten trees are believed to predate the 10th century.  The bark of these trees is a very distinctive reddish-brown, whilst the needle like foliage dark-green above and green-grey below. Significantly, whilst the flowers are visible from between March to April, you will find the males insignificant white-yellow flowers grow on one tree and its female counterpart on another.  

Unlike many conifers, the tree does not bear its fruit in seed cones but instead the seed is encased in a red fleshy berry. Unfortunately, the foliage and seed coat of Yews contain a harmful cocktail of poisons, but are a special favourite of Blackbirds, Greenfinches, Mistle and Song Thrushes and Fieldfare. The caterpillars of Satin Beauty Moth also find the leaves a good meal. Importantly, the dense foliage of the tree provide a good habitat for birds like the ‘Goldcrest and Firecrest’. Yew timber is incredibly strong and the wood has been historically, used in turnery and to make longbows and the handles of tools.