Lúr
Latin name: Taxus baccata
The yew tree is an evergreen tree. It is one of the oldest species of trees growing in Northern Europe.
Can you remember what an evergreen tree is? Evergreens keep their leaves all year round. Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the autumn.
Needle-like leaves of an Irish Yew
Photograph of the foiliage of a Yew taken in Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, County Kilkenny
Needle-like leaves of an Irish Yew
Needle-like leaves of an Irish Yew
Photograph of the foiliage of a Yew taken in Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, County Kilkenny
Have you ever seen a yew tree?
The next time you see one, stand back and look at it from a distance. You’ll see that it is shaped like a big cone. Then, go up close to the leaves. You will see that they are long and look like little needles.
Woody cones grow on the male yew trees. Bright red berries grow on the female yew trees in autumn. The seeds of the yew tree are inside these berries.
Irish Yew
Photograph of an Irish Yew taken in Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, County Kilkenny
Irish Yew
Irish Yew
Photograph of an Irish Yew taken in Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, County Kilkenny
How old do you think a yew tree could live?
Well, the oldest tree is Europe is believed to be a yew tree. It is growing in a churchyard in Fortingall, Scotland. It is thought to be about 2,000 years old!
Like the oak tree, many areas in Ireland are named after the yew tree.
Did you know that Co. Mayo is named after the yew tree? The Irish name for Mayo is 'Maigh Eo', which means ‘Plain of the Yew’.
Remember! All parts of the Yew tree, including the berries, are very poisonous. Never eat any part of a yew tree.