4 ms·

Britains ancient yews – mystical, magnificent, and unprotected

37 points by DanBC 7y ago

hilbert42 7y ago
What an amazing site the yew trees and door of St Edward’s church, Stow-on the-Wold make. What's even more amazing—at least from the photograph—is that there seems to be no significant damage to the building's foundations or infrastructure. I wonder in fact if this is actually the case.
- kypro 7y ago
  Right? I thought the same. I live fairly close to the area, but have never been - wasn't even aware it existed. I think I'm going to take a day trip just to check this out. It always amazes me how many little gems there are like this in rural England.
  - hilbert42 7y ago
    Good one, let us know!
chrisweekly 7y ago
For anyone who likes trees, FYI Richard Powers's latest -- "The Overstory: A Novel" -- is a Pulitzer-winning, beautifully-written, moving and powerful novel that features trees and forests... it's like nothing else I've ever read. Highly recommended.
rayiner 7y ago
I find this article completely inexplicable. Is there a shortage of Yew trees? If not, why would there be legal protection?
- Santosh83 7y ago
  Because many of these yews are hundreds or thousands of years old.
- Angostura 7y ago
  The tree in question is between 1,500 and 5,000 years old.
- jmkd 7y ago
  There are around 150 yew trees left that are over 2000 years old. For a hundred generations they have served as waypoints, landmarks, cultural signifiers and biological ecosystems. Shortage: yes Important: yes
kitd 7y ago
If you like yews and you're ever in the Chichester area on the English south coast, I strongly recommend visiting the yew forest at Kingley Vale. https://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/08/the-ancient-yew-forest-of-kingley-vale.html https://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/08/the-ancient-yew-forest... It's like the trees are alive, and reminds me of the scene in the original "Snow White" movie where she's running through the forest being grabbed by branches! Apparently, they're c. 1000 years old, planted to commemorate a Saxon victory over the Vikings. Incredibly, they were used for RAF target practice during WWII and the site still gets cleared of ordnance occasionally.
Aloha 7y ago
This article makes a credible case for special protections for the yew being unneeded. There does not appear to be a great number of threats to them nor does it appear they're being cut down with any regularity
- dmix 7y ago
  It’s interesting what things humans get protective and sentimental over. The difference with the buildings is they are selectively chosen as heritage buildings. Someone didn’t come along and say every old Christian church should get a special grade. Their individual history and merits are evaluated. I don’t see why special protection can’t be given through volunteer efforts on some unique and interesting trees that are actually ancient. Not sure I agree that every single branch of every yew in the country should require a highly paid specialist. Especially when they are mostly already on ancient church property that is already being well taken care of. Just educate the churches and local communities with articles like these and the online groups that already exist. Create some time to clean up the ones in human accessible areas. Not everything requires the heavy hand of government.

37 points by DanBC 7y ago

What an amazing site the yew trees and door of St Edward’s church, Stow-on the-Wold make. What's even more amazing—at least from the photograph—is that there seems to be no significant damage to the building's foundations or infrastructure. I wonder in fact if this is actually the case.

kypro 7y ago
Right? I thought the same. I live fairly close to the area, but have never been - wasn't even aware it existed. I think I'm going to take a day trip just to check this out. It always amazes me how many little gems there are like this in rural England.
- hilbert42 7y ago
  Good one, let us know!

chrisweekly 7y ago

For anyone who likes trees, FYI Richard Powers's latest -- "The Overstory: A Novel" -- is a Pulitzer-winning, beautifully-written, moving and powerful novel that features trees and forests... it's like nothing else I've ever read. Highly recommended.

rayiner 7y ago

I find this article completely inexplicable. Is there a shortage of Yew trees? If not, why would there be legal protection?

Santosh83 7y ago
Because many of these yews are hundreds or thousands of years old.
Angostura 7y ago
The tree in question is between 1,500 and 5,000 years old.
jmkd 7y ago
There are around 150 yew trees left that are over 2000 years old. For a hundred generations they have served as waypoints, landmarks, cultural signifiers and biological ecosystems. Shortage: yes Important: yes

kitd 7y ago

If you like yews and you're ever in the Chichester area on the English south coast, I strongly recommend visiting the yew forest at Kingley Vale. https://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/08/the-ancient-yew-forest-of-kingley-vale.html https://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/08/the-ancient-yew-forest... It's like the trees are alive, and reminds me of the scene in the original "Snow White" movie where she's running through the forest being grabbed by branches! Apparently, they're c. 1000 years old, planted to commemorate a Saxon victory over the Vikings. Incredibly, they were used for RAF target practice during WWII and the site still gets cleared of ordnance occasionally.

Aloha 7y ago

This article makes a credible case for special protections for the yew being unneeded. There does not appear to be a great number of threats to them nor does it appear they're being cut down with any regularity

dmix 7y ago
It’s interesting what things humans get protective and sentimental over. The difference with the buildings is they are selectively chosen as heritage buildings. Someone didn’t come along and say every old Christian church should get a special grade. Their individual history and merits are evaluated. I don’t see why special protection can’t be given through volunteer efforts on some unique and interesting trees that are actually ancient. Not sure I agree that every single branch of every yew in the country should require a highly paid specialist. Especially when they are mostly already on ancient church property that is already being well taken care of. Just educate the churches and local communities with articles like these and the online groups that already exist. Create some time to clean up the ones in human accessible areas. Not everything requires the heavy hand of government.