The yew tree holds a profound place in the natural and cultural landscape of Britain, woven into the fabric of history, mythology, and ecology. It feels like we are so used them that we take no notice of them, and I kind of like that.
The UK boasts a higher number of ancient yews than any other European nation. The Ancient Yew Group has cataloged 978 ancient or veteran yews, characterised as being over 500 years old, within England alone, and another 407 in Wales.
In contrast, France hosts 77 of these venerable trees, while Germany and Spain each have a mere four. Despite this rich heritage, some advocates for these trees argue that legislative measures aimed at their protection may falter, as influential landowners, including one particularly prominent figure, resist the imposition of additional safeguards.
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This ancient tree species, characterised by its longevity, dense evergreen foliage, and distinctive red arils, is steeped in a rich history that spans thousands of years.
Accurately estimating the age of ancient yew trees is a challenging endeavor, and there are often grandiose claims surrounding their longevity. However, several specialists estimate that the Defynnog yew is over 5,000 years old, potentially rivaling or even surpassing the age of the renowned churchyard yew located in Fortingall, Scotland.
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While some experts contend that the tree might be “only” 1,500 years old, its exact age, whether or not it’s the oldest living entity in Europe, doesn’t diminish its significance.
Despite its unique status, this remarkable tree currently enjoys less legal protection than any of the approximately 530,000 listed structures in England and Wales, which cover a range from bus shelters to skate parks.
Should someone cause harm or destroy the Defynnog yew, they might not face any legal repercussions. In contrast, any damage to Defynnog’s church, a Grade I listed edifice deemed of “exceptional interest,” could result in a penalty of up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.
Prehistoric Significance
The yew tree, with its remarkable longevity and evergreen foliage, became a silent witness to the passage of ages, enduring as human civilisation took its first steps.
Its presence in the British landscape predates much of recorded history, with ancient yews possibly being some of the oldest living wooden entities in Europe. Their ability to live for thousands of years allowed them to become not just part of the landscape but a continuous link to the past, connecting the present day with the deep time of prehistory.
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In these ancient times, the yew tree likely held a significant place in the natural world and the early human societies that interacted with it. Its berries, wood, and foliage would have been integral to the daily lives of these communities, serving various utilitarian, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.
The tree’s toxicity, paradoxically, might have imbued it with a mystical or sacred aura, perhaps leading to its association with life, death, and rebirth in later cultural narratives.
Archaeological evidence, though sparse, suggests that early inhabitants of Britain recognised the yew tree’s significance. They might have used its wood for tools, weapons, or ceremonial objects, capitalising on its durability and workability.
The Yew Tree is a Connection
The tree’s evergreen nature, which contrasts sharply with the deciduous forests of Britain, would have made it a symbol of endurance and eternal life, qualities that likely did not go unnoticed by the ancients who lived in close harmony with their natural surroundings.
Moreover, the yew’s propensity for longevity means that some of the trees alive today may have been ancient even in historical times, providing a living connection to Britain’s prehistoric past. They stand as silent witnesses to the unfolding of human history, from the earliest settlements through the ages of bronze and iron, into the recorded history of the British Isles.
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The yew trees thus hold a prehistoric legacy that is both ecological and cultural. Ecologically, they are key components of ancient woodlands, contributing to biodiversity and offering habitats for various forms of life.
Culturally, they are embedded in the mythos of the land, potentially revered and certainly utilised by those who lived alongside them in ages past. This dual significance underscores the yew’s role not just as a feature of the landscape but as an integral part of Britain’s natural heritage and its ancient, storied past.
Druids and Ancient Beliefs
Druids served as spiritual leaders within the regions now known as Britain and France, embodying roles as diverse as philosophers, educators, jurists, custodians of collective knowledge on nature and cultural traditions, and intermediaries between humanity and the divine.
Barry Cunliffe, an emeritus professor of European archaeology at the University of Oxford, describes them in his work “Druids: A Very Short Introduction” (Oxford University Press, 2010) as integral to the fabric of their communities, providing wisdom and spiritual guidance.
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Our understanding of the druids primarily comes from external sources; the records that survive about them were authored by non-druids, frequently by Romans. This presents challenges for contemporary historians in piecing together the precise nature of the druids’ practices and the evolution of their societal roles.
The exact origins of druidism remain uncertain to historians. While Cunliffe points out that the first documented mention of druids is around 2,400 years old, the traditions and beliefs they practiced likely predate this reference, suggesting an even longer history.
They Revered the Yew Tree
Druids, known for their profound connection to the natural world, revered the yew tree for its longevity and the sense of continuity and timelessness it embodied.
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This veneration was likely influenced by the tree’s unique characteristics: its ability to regenerate and live for millennia, its resilience, and the toxic properties that imbued the tree with an aura of both danger and protection. These aspects made the yew a powerful symbol in Druidic culture, representing death and rebirth, the old and the new, the known world and the hereafter.
The ancient beliefs surrounding the yew tree extended beyond its physical attributes, delving into the metaphysical. The tree was often associated with transcendence, transformation, and the eternal cycle of life, death, and regeneration.
This made it an integral part of rituals and ceremonies, especially those concerning passage, such as transitions from life to death, the changing seasons, or even the crowning of new leaders. The yew’s presence in these rituals underscored its role as a bridge between worlds, a guide through transformational processes, and a guardian of sacred spaces.
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In many ancient cultures, trees were thought to house spirits or serve as portals to other worlds, and the yew, with its ancient stature and eerie ability to endure, was often at the heart of such beliefs.
Its branches, berries, and wood, all imbued with potent symbolic significance, were likely used in various rites, potions, and as protective talismans.
The Yew Tree is Toxic
The fact that almost every part of the tree is toxic except for the aril (the red flesh surrounding the seed) added to its mystique, lending it an ambivalent character that could mean life or death, depending on the knowledge and intent of those who used it.
The inclusion of yew trees in sacred sites, from Stonehenge to old churchyards, suggests a continuity of reverence from pre-Christian to Christian times, hinting at the profound spiritual and cultural imprint of the tree.
The Druids’ practice of conducting ceremonies in groves of yew trees or using yew wood in ritualistic practices has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, echoing through the ages in folklore, mythology, and even in the architecture of churches, many of which are flanked by ancient yew trees, possibly planted in earlier, pre-Christian times.
Yews in Medieval Churchyards
During medieval times, the presence of yew trees in churchyards was a common sight, and this tradition has led to the survival of some of Europe’s oldest living trees. The reasons for their ubiquitous presence are multifaceted and deeply rooted in the practices, beliefs, and customs of the time.
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One prevalent theory suggests that yews were planted on these sacred sites long before the churches themselves were built, possibly dating back to pagan times when yews were considered symbols of longevity and resurrection due to their long lifespan and evergreen nature.
The transition from pagan to Christian practices saw the adoption and adaptation of many earlier traditions, with the yew tree’s symbolism fitting well into Christian symbolism of eternal life, making its continued presence in churchyards a natural choice.
Moreover, the yew’s ability to thrive for thousands of years allowed it to embody the connection between the past, present, and future, resonating with the Christian concept of everlasting life.
Aside from their symbolic resonance, yew trees had practical purposes in medieval churchyards. Their dense foliage provided shelter from the elements, creating a serene environment for contemplation and worship.
The Yew Tree Protected the dead
Furthermore, the toxic properties of the tree were thought to protect the dead from being disturbed by grazing animals or even, according to some folklore, from being raised by necromancers.
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The wood of the yew tree was highly prized during the medieval period, especially for the crafting of longbows, a staple of English military might.
Yew trees also played a role in the church’s economy. In some cases, the church had the rights to the trees, and their wood, bark, or even foliage could be sold for profit. This economic value, combined with their spiritual significance, made yew trees an integral part of the medieval church landscape.
Despite their strong associations with death and graveyards, yew trees were also symbols of resilience and continuity.
They stood as silent witnesses to the changing world around them, from the rise and fall of kingdoms to the everyday lives of the parishioners who sought solace in their shade. Their longevity meant that a yew planted in the medieval period could still be standing today, a living link to the generations that have come before.
The Longbow and Warfare
The longbow, recognised today for its length of roughly 6 feet, prominently emerged towards the latter part of the Middle Ages.
While the Welsh are often credited with its development, longbows have actually existed since the Neolithic era; a yew longbow wrapped in leather was discovered in Somerset in 1961, and there are indications that even older longbows have been found in Scandinavia.
Nonetheless, the Welsh are acknowledged for pioneering the strategic deployment of the longbow, transforming it into the era’s most formidable weapon.
During the Anglo-Norman invasion of Wales, Welsh archers were reputed to have inflicted significant casualties on the invading forces. Following the annexation of Wales, Welsh archers were integrated into the English military, playing a crucial role in Edward I’s subsequent expeditions into Scotland.
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The oldest longbow discovered in the UK was excavated in the Somerset Levels in 1961. This artifact, named the Meare Heath bow, dates back to the Middle Neolithic period, approximately around 2690 BC.
In June 1961, during peat extraction activities by the Eclipse Peat Company on the Somerset Levels, workers unearthed a fragment of a wooden flat-bow deep within the peat layers.
Neolithic Period
This significant find was promptly sent to Cambridge University, where it underwent preservation treatment using carbowax. Subsequent analysis revealed that the bow dated back to the Neolithic Period, leading to its christening as the Meare Heath Bow, as documented by Clark & Godwin in The Illustrated London News on February 10, 1962.
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The artifact recovered consisted of approximately half of a yew bow, broken in such a manner that a segment of the round-sectioned handgrip, about 6 centimeters long, was still intact. The remaining portion of the bow stave, extending roughly 93 centimeters, exhibited a flattened lanceolate form, with its greatest width reaching about 6 centimeters.
The bow’s design was almost flat on one side, presumed to be the belly or the inner side facing the archer, and convex on the opposite side or the back of the bow. Additionally, a part of the notch, likely used for affixing the bowstring, was preserved.
The stave was adorned with two transverse leather bands at its broadest section, and there were indications that more such bands had originally been present.
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Evidence of a narrow diagonal cross banding was also observed, which was presumably made from strips of a strengthening material, likely sinew. Estimations suggest that if the original bow had been symmetrical around the grip, its total length would have spanned approximately 190.5 centimeters.
Conservation and Modern Appreciation
The conservation and modern appreciation of yew trees have taken on significant importance as awareness of their ecological, historical, and cultural value has grown. Today, these ancient trees are celebrated not only for their beauty and longevity but also for their contribution to biodiversity and their storied place in Britain’s heritage.
Yew trees, often centenarians, are living links to the past, standing as silent witnesses to centuries of human history. Their conservation is crucial, as these trees provide habitats for a variety of species, including birds, insects, and fungi, playing a key role in maintaining ecological balance.
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The dense foliage of yew trees offers shelter and nesting sites, while their berries provide food for birds and small mammals, making them integral components of their ecosystems.
In modern times, the appreciation for yew trees extends beyond their ecological value. They are recognised as cultural icons, embodying a connection to the ancient world, with their presence in churchyards and ancient sites sparking imagination and offering inspiration.
Climate change?
The yew’s enduring nature and its place in mythology and folklore continue to fascinate people, drawing visitors to sites where ancient yews stand.
Conservation efforts for yew trees often involve protecting them from threats such as development, disease, and climate change. Organisations dedicated to tree conservation, along with local communities, work to ensure that these ancient specimens are preserved for future generations.
This involves regular monitoring, careful management of the surrounding landscape, and sometimes, interventions to support the health of the trees.
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The modern appreciation of yews is also evident in their symbolic use in gardens and landscapes, where they are often planted for their aesthetic appeal and their connection to history and tradition.
This contemporary use underscores the yew’s versatility and its enduring appeal, bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Furthermore, yews continue to be a subject of scientific interest, with researchers studying their unique properties, such as their resistance to decay and their production of taxol, a compound used in cancer treatment. This ongoing research highlights the yew’s potential to contribute to modern medicine, adding another layer to its significance.