A-Z of Services

Yew

Name	taxus baccata
	Woodland. Planted in churchyards and in gardens
	evergreen tree
	The yew has a long association with holy places. Over 500 churches in England & Wales have yews as old or older than the church. Churchyard yews are most common where yews are most common (the Welsh Marches, the Lake District and South East England), perhaps revealing that the yews came first. They are the oldest trees in Britain, some being at least a thousand years old.
	The leaves, bark and berries of the yew are poisonous. However, the clippings from yew trees are collected as they contain taxol, a drug used to combat certain cancers.
	up to 25m (80ft)
	the red berries, the flaky reddish brown bark and its stocky shape.

| Share

Key

	Habitat

	Plant Type

	Traditions & Culture

	Medicinal Qualities

	Size

	Flowering Season

	Distinguishing Features

	Poisonous

	Native or Foreign

	Please do not pick, collect or disturb this plant