Yews

Wow...when you research specific plants the information that you uncover is always fascinating. In the case of Yew trees the human history and beliefs associated with them, as well as their use historically and in present day medicine is incredibly interesting. I will give a very brief introduction to Yew trees here and you may search the wonderful (if not always accurate) internet if you would like more substance.

Yew trees are conifers. They grow as a small to medium sized tree and, depending on what sources you use, they can be divided into two broad groups: European Yews and Pacific Yews. Some botanists would argue that they are all subspecies of the one widespread variety. At Kallista there are four yew trees. We believe them to be Irish yews (x2), one English yew and one Japanese yew. I am happy to stand corrected if anyone visits. There is an Irish yew in the centre of this photo and another behind, with a different type of conifer in between them. They are slow growing trees and are very long lived, although dating them is nigh impossible. This is because the central core of them deteriorates with age and so there are no central tree rings with which to assist in dating them.


The history that I found fascinating that I alluded to earlier is thus. Yew trees have long been in the human imagination. For example there are copious literary references to them as far back as 'Beowulf' and as recent as 'Harry Potter'. In Asturian (of Spanish, celtic origins) tradition Yew branches were taken to the tombs of the recently departed so that they would find their guide to the Land of the Shadows. It appears that this association promoted the planting of Yews in many churchyards and cemeteries especially in Great Britain.

Another point of historical interest was the use of mature Yew trees in the production of longbows in medieval England. Their springy wood was in such high demand for these weapons that it resulted in the depletion of these trees over vast areas. Yews were also sought after as many parts of these trees were used to treat various maladies. It is now known that all yews contain highly poisonous toxoids known as taxanes, and the refined products have been developed for use in chemotherapy. Deer are one of the few animals that can eat Yew and survive. Here endith the history lesson.

My experience with Yews at Kallista is minimal as we've only had the place for 6 years. Like most things in this garden the Yews define their own existence. The Japanese Yew struggles as it was planted in a very shady spot with lots of competition from other plants for light and nutrients, whereas the other varieties receive more sunlight and are far happier. I don't have a picture in my file of the small cones and pretty red berries that they produce but when they appear I will add one to the blog.

G.