Some - Yew - Facts
While the red, fleshy part of the yew's fruit isn't toxic,the seed inside it is poisonous to humans, and so are the bark and leaves.
Yew Hedges and others from the family Taxaceae are frequently found growing in gardens and public spaces throughout the country. While its beautiful foliage and attractive red berries are guaranteed to brighten up any place in which they grow,they can cause substantial harm if accidently ingested.
Yew can be grown in full sun, ppartial shade, and even full shade. For healthy and lush growth, however, opt for a spot that gets several hours of sunshine each day. Too much shade can cause thin and floppy growth.
Yews (Taxus) are a varied group of coniferous shrubs and trees that produce seedcones called yew berries. Yews are evergreen and have soft, flattened needles that look more like tiny leaves. Yew shrubs are very low maintenance and easy to grow.
Drooping branches of old yew trees can root and form new trunks where they touch the ground. Thus the yew came to symbolise death and resurrection in Celtic Culture. The Celts will also have been familiar with the toxicity of the tree's needles in particular.
A yew may be able to live for 3,000 years although 1,500 may be more frequent. All yew will be ancient from 900 years onward (early and pre Norman), although many will have ancient characteristics from around 500 years. Ageing of yew trees is very difficult.
Yew trees are taken as symbols of doom, 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 yew was 'the coffin of the vine' as wine barrels were made of yew staves.
The yew's very long life, and its ability to stay green all year round, has given it a mystical reputation. The trees are a symbol of immortality, and have stood as guardians of graveyards since ancient times. Some believed they marked the gateway to the underworld.