Whilst churchyards contain many different veteran trees, it is the yews that are particularly special. Globally, veteran and ancient yews are threatened; however, on a world stage the best refuge for these trees is actually the churchyards of England and Wales. It is in these enclosed spaces that over three quarters of Britain’s oldest yew trees can be found. Some trees are believed to be several thousand years old.
The yew trees we are referring to are the long lived Taxus baccata (often referred to as the Common, English or European Yew) as opposed to others also found in churchyards such as the Irish Yew which is more upright, neat in shape and not nearly as long lived.
Almost every part of the yew is poisonous to stock and wildlife (including humans!). But birds such as blackbirds, waxwings, thrushes, and fieldfares enjoy the fleshy red berries. If you are partial to gathering fungi to eat, it is best to avoid even edible species if you find them growing on a yew tree.
The Common yews tend to grow in a ‘normal’ tree shape until about 600 years old when they often hollow out and thicken around the base. This hollow cylindrical structure does not weaken the tree, in fact it may even strengthen its structure. Hollow yews are great for sheltering wildlife. Some have seats inside, and in past centuries hollow yews were even used as homes by monks in Wales and Ireland!