Tree Species: Yew (Taxus baccata)

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Native to the UK and much of Europe. One of Britain’s longest-lived native trees.

Evergreen – retains its needles year-round.

Leaves: Needle-like, flat, 2–4 cm long, dark green above and paler beneath. Arranged spirally on twigs but twisted to lie in two flat ranks.

Bark: Reddish-brown, thin, and peeling in scaly flakes, often showing purple tones.

Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Male and female flowers usually on separate trees (dioecious). Male flowers are small yellow cones; females produce bright red fleshy arils surrounding a single seed. Unlike true berries, the seed inside is highly toxic though the red aril is not.

Overall shape: Variable – can be tall with a broad crown, or clipped into dense hedges. Mature trees often have massive, hollow trunks.

3–8 m tall in the UK (but can exceed 25 m); spread often 8–15 m. Extremely long-lived – many specimens are 1,000+ years old.

Native across much of the UK, found in ancient woodland, chalk downs, churchyards, and estates. Thrives on chalk and limestone soils but tolerates a wide range.

Dark green, flat needles.

Bright red arils in autumn.

Reddish, peeling bark.

Association with churchyards and ancient sites.

Spring: Male flowers shed pollen; female flowers develop.

Summer: Dense dark green evergreen canopy.

Autumn: Female trees bear bright red arils.

Winter: Green canopy remains, bark colour more noticeable.

Timber (hard, elastic, slow-growing) historically used for longbows, spears, and fine furniture.

Grown widely as hedging and topiary due to tolerance of clipping.

Extracts (taxanes) used in modern cancer treatments.

Dense evergreen canopy provides year-round shelter for birds and roosting bats.

Arils eaten by birds (e.g. thrushes), which spread the toxic seeds.

Leaves and seeds are poisonous to livestock and most mammals, so avoided by grazers.

Strongly linked with death and immortality in folklore, which is why it is common in churchyards.

Many ancient yews (e.g. Fortingall Yew in Scotland) are claimed to be among the oldest living trees in Europe, possibly over 2,000 years old.

Symbol of endurance and resurrection due to evergreen foliage and longevity.

Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soils, especially chalk and limestone, but tolerates clay, loam, and sandy soils. Avoid waterlogging.

Light: Shade-tolerant but grows best in full sun or partial shade.

Watering: Water young trees regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.

Spacing: 2–3 m apart for hedges; 6–10 m for specimen trees.

Aftercare: Mulch to conserve moisture. Clip hedges annually; prune specimen trees only to shape. Protect young trees from browsing deer/rabbits.

Urban: Excellent as hedging or specimen trees in parks and churchyards; tolerates pollution well.

Garden: Very suitable for medium to large gardens as hedging or specimen; responds well to pruning. Not recommended for gardens with livestock due to toxicity.