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Yew

The yew tree is the most ancient of trees with the some trees thought to be thousands of years old. In old age they have a distinctive gnarled shape with some branches curving down to the ground and taking root.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as
  • English yew
  • Lubhar (Gaelic)
  • Ibar (Old Irish), Iur (Irish)
  • Ywen (Welsh) Palm tree (Kent)
Generic nameYew
Latin nameTaxus baccata
Family nameYew
Latin family nameTaxaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?It is a conifer
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?No, it is evergreen

Species description:

Average height4-20m

Leaf

DescriptionThe needles are arranged either side of the twig and are flat (rather than all round the twig). In colour they are dark green above and a yellow-green-grey below. In colour the leaves are dull yellowish grey-green beneath. In arrangment the leaves are in a flattened rank down one side of the twig on side shoots but can be found to spiral around the twig in strong erect growths
ShapeNeedle
Size3cm
ColourGreen
Leaf budRound green buds around 2mm in size
Leaf stalkNo stalk
Leaf arrangementAlternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flowerSingular flower
Flowering seasonEarly spring
Fruit colourRed
Fruit seasonEarly autumn
Type of seed bodyBerry
Seeds dispersed by
  • Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark descriptionColourful bark with tones of purple and red on grey. It breaks up into shallow scales
Twig DescriptionGreen for the first 3 years

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?Various varieties of Yew which have different coloured fruits and leaves

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?Native
Where is its natural range?Britain and Ireland
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?Tolerates a wide range of conditions including dense shading. It often grows singularly in woods but in groves elsewhere. It was commonly planted in parks, gardens and churchyards
What is its British conservation status?Common

Additional information

Is any part of the tree poisonous?The leaves are highly toxic, as too is the seed inside the red berries.
Human uses of tree and timberYew timber is heavy but very elastic and was traditionally used for longbows and spears. The world’s oldest wooden artefact was a yew spear found in Essex, and estimated to be 200,000 years old. The wood is so hard that a yew fence post is said to outlive one made of iron. Other uses include domestic utensils and bowls, furniture, dagger handles, cogs and wheels and parquete floors
Tree lore and folkloreThere has been a long association of yew trees in churchyards and there are at least 500 churchyards in England which contain yew trees which are older than the building itself. It is not known why there is this link but there are many theories- from yews being planted over the graves of plague victims to protect and purify the dead; to the more mundane in that yews could be planted in churchyards as it was one of the only places that cattle did not have access and therefore would not be poisoned by eating the leaves. Yew trees are taken as symbols of immortality in many traditions, but are also seen as omens of doom. For many centuries it was the custom for yew branches to be carried on Palm Sunday and at funerals. In Ireland, it was said that the yew was ‘the coffin of the vine’ as wine barrels were made of yew staves.

Common Yew

Fruit section (top) and green shoots (bottom)

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

Collins Tree Guide