Common Yew

Taxus baccata

Digital Photograph of a Yew taken in Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, County Kilkenny

Taxus baccata

Digital Photograph of a Yew taken in Woodstock Estate, Inistioge, County Kilkenny

Common Name: European, English or Common Yew

Description: The Yew makes a small to medium tree with dark green leaves up to 3cm long. The bark is very dark. The Yew will grow in most situations once drainage is good. All parts of the tree are toxic excepting the red flesh surrounding the seed. The seed itself is highly toxic

Origin: The Yew is widespread from Ireland to Northern Iran. It is one of only two native Irish Conifers, the other being the Juniper.

The Yew has a wealth of folklore attached dating back to pre-Christian times. It is generally seen as one of the longest living native trees in Europe, although this is hard to verify as the heartwood in old trees is often rotten leaving then hollow but healthy.

The largest specimen in Woodstock is 16.4m in height.