The Ancient Yew

Ancient yew trees, many of which may be over a thousand years old, are still common features in many areas of Britain, frequently found in churchyards and large formal gardens. The yew has an important place in the British landscape and cultural heritage and here Robert Bevan-Jones discusses its history, biology, the origins of its name, the yew berry and its toxicity, its distribution across Britain, means of dating examples, and their association with folklore, with churchyards, abbeys, springs, pre-Reformation wells and as landscape markers. Includes a gazetteer of examples. Foreword by David Bellamy.