The Eternal Yew

There are not many organisms living on this planet that can claim immortality. Perhaps none, other that is, than the yew. This astonishing tree can regenerate, again and again, by suspending low branches onto the soil that begin to root and grow new trunks. When the tree becomes aged it hollows out and a new trunk can grow within the old. Because of this the yew is associated by Christianity with death and resurrection and will be found more often than not in churchyards.

It is said that a fence post made of yew, will outlive one of iron. Today the wood is used for parquet flooring, furniture and lutes and also to make a powerful anti-cancer drug.

The yew spans the ages; it existed long before man. Fossils of the yew have been found from the Jurassic era, 140 million years ago. It is entwined with man's history and culture and is so rich in its own story that it would take a book to tell it. Shakespeare, Tennyson and Wordsworth and Sylvia Plath make reference to this tree. Sixty legends at least, exist of saints planting staffs that grew into yew trees. One legend relates that Pontius Pilate as a child played among the branches of the truly ancient 'Fortinall Yew' in Glen Lyon; apparently, on a diplomatic visit with his father. Henry the Vth triumphed at Agincourt because of the long bows made from yew and dipped in the tree's deadly poison. The yew at Runnymede saw The Magna Carta signed and the inauguration of Saxon kings. Many ancient and magical sites are found within a circle of yews. It was sacred to Druids. A yew in Nevern churchyard in Wales oozes blood coloured sap constantly. There are several legends which try to explain this phenomenon but the Christian interpretation is that the yew bleeds in sympathy with Christ on the cross.

Britain has more ancient yews than anywhere and most are in churchyards. Poisonous in nearly all parts, it is likely that farmers were happy for them to be in churchyards. They are nevertheless brilliant for wildlife, providing shelter and food.

Leading image: Estry Yew, Normandy, around 1,600 years old. By Roi.dagobert - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15479914