How rare is yew?

[gino]

From what I've read and heard I've been lead to believe that yew trees are quite rare in this country. I've spotted one or two in Churchyards around yorkshire but it's not a common tree.

However, I was walking around the city yesterday and I suddenly recognised the yew leaves on a small plant in someones front garden. I checked for the red seeds and found them which confirmed it was a yew tree which got me wondering. Is yew actually rare? or is it something you could find in a lot of places if you just looked?

[Aliwren]

I dont think yew trees are especially rare in this country (UK) - as you have said many church yards have them - they are a slow growing tree with the oldest surviving thought to be around 5000 years old!!.

I think what is becoming increasingly rare is yew suitable for making longbows, I understand UK yew isnt really suitable but I am sure there are people on here with far more knowledge on this than myself. I have spoken to two respected bowyers who have said they find it increasingly hard to source suitable bow yew.

http://www.the-tree.org.uk/BritishTrees/yew.htm

Info on Yews hope this helps!

[gino]

great website, cheers

[kernowtom]

Hi Gino
It is not too difficult to buy yew wood in the UK, but it is generally unsuitable for bows because it is far too gnarly (probably not a very technical term.. but you know what I mean) and also because the growth pattern does not produce the tight even grain that makes it work well. I am no expert but I believe I have read that most medieval yew staves were imported from abroad where it grew in stands which encouraged straight trunks, few side shoots and narrow growth rings... the opposite of most yew here... especially the churchyard yew.
tom

[morphymick]

One of the reasons for Yew's scarcity lies in the fact that it is poisonous to grazing livestock, and was actively discouraged from growing outside of churchyards, where grazing was banned.

Mick

[napolienne]

Originally Posted by morphymick

One of the reasons for Yew's scarcity lies in the fact that it is poisonous to grazing livestock, and was actively discouraged from growing outside of churchyards, where grazing was banned.

Mick

//off topic

Actually, grazing was allowed in churchyards, but only of the priest's animals. Goats, mainly. Not so common now, but still technically allowed as far as I'm aware.

//back on topic

Yew isn't rare (at least not in Oxfordshire), i just think people don't notice it/recognise it.

[Flying Whale]

I've got quite a big yew tree growing in my garden (about 40 ft high, and the main trunk is probably 15-18 inches in diameter.

Not allowed to do anything like chop it down, though since we are in a conservation area.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Flying Whale

I've got quite a big yew tree growing in my garden (about 40 ft high, and the main trunk is probably 15-18 inches in diameter.

Not allowed to do anything like chop it down, though since we are in a conservation area.

Surely they wouldn't miss a nice 6' section out of the middle

[Flying Whale]

Tempting, but I think they might just notice.

Mrs FW would probably happily see the back of it. The berries get all over the path. They are immensely sticky, and the other night she slipped on them in the dark, and bounced down the steps....great bruises.

I think I would miss it though. We have resident Tawny Owls that spend most of the night in it. Highly entertaining in the summer when they are obviously training the owlets how to hoot. Much worse than a teanage boy with his voice breaking!

[gino]

Originally Posted by Flying Whale

We have resident Tawny Owls that spend most of the night in it. Highly entertaining in the summer when they are obviously training the owlets how to hoot. Much worse than a teanage boy with his voice breaking!

Now I'm jealous, a yew tree and an owl!