78. Common Yew

Also commonly called Irish Yew

Location: Growing as small trimmed shrubs between two sections of the medicinal garden west of Okanogan Ln. 

Historical Background: This variety of yew originated before 1760 in the mountains above Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland. It is especially common in old neighborhoods and cemeteries. Some claims have Yew trees living to be 5,000-9,000 years old; however other evidence points to the oldest species being around 2,000 years. Regardless, it is the longest living plant in Europe. 

Yew trees are poisonous, so don't eat the slimy red berries or the leaves. Its wood is hard, heavy, dark, fine, lovely and prized for making bows. It can also be burned as incense. The invaluable taxol alkaloid in the bark of our native Pacific Coast species generated considerable publicity about yews in recent years because of its possible use in treating ovarian cancer. It is tolerant of trimming and is used in topiary. It is rumored that even 1,000 year-old plants will re-sprout if cut back.

Non-native

Native Range: Ireland

Identifying Features: Here’s a trick, learn this plant, then whenever you are walking with someone and you see it you can tell them “Hey, that tree looks like yew”, then enjoy their confusion as they try and figure out how it looks like them. Another solid use for this beautiful long lived evergreen is knock knock jokes, example; “Knock knock” “Whos there” “Irish Yew” “Irish Yew who” “Irish Yew would tell me more about this tree and stop making bad jokes”. And with that, a description. This small ornamental can have several different crown types, from broad and rounded, to cylindrical and barrellike (as seen here). It has dark green needle-like leaves very similar to the Coast redwood which was seen very early in this almost completed tour. It has very light, yellow-green, undersides. It has small reddish fruits with a distinctive round divot at the end with a green disk inside such that they are not perfectly elliptical. The native species of Yew, the Pacific Yew, is immensely beneficial as a source for modern anti-cancer drugs, a truly beneficial tree for humanity in even more ways than just beauty. These trees may live to over 4000 years in favorable conditions.

Identifying Features In Depth:

1. Form: Small and dense, growing broad and rounded or cylindrical and barrel shaped depending on the variety. The crown may achieve up to about 65’ (20m), and is generally held up by several stems. 

2. Leaves: Foliage is very glossy and dark green on top, much duller and pale green below. Similar to the Coast redwood, these needles are generally longer, 1.4” (4cm), and the tree does not exhibit the same level of growth as that immense sequoia. The foliage is spreading, and the needles pointed.

3. Bark: Bark is dark and scaly, even on younger trees.

4. Reproductive Bodies: Some species have fruit resembling nutmeg, but this Yew has berry-like fruit similar to our own native Pacific Yew, globular but for a rounded divot at the end which dips back into the fruit. They are held on by a slight tan cup, and while they may look appealing they are poisonous. Inside is a hard seed.