European Yew (Taxus baccata)
Scientific Name: Taxus baccata — European Yew.
Native Home: Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia.
Height: 10–20 metres.
Lifespan: 1,000–3,000 years or more.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Strong, elastic, fine-grained wood valued for detailed woodworking.
Harvesting: Carefully harvested for specialty timber because of its slow growth.
Age to Harvest: Often 100–200 years or more for substantial timber.
Products: Bows, furniture, decorative carvings, and fine woodworking items.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Historically used to make longbows, tools, and ceremonial objects.
Global Spread: Native to Europe and nearby regions; widely planted in gardens, churchyards, hedges, and ornamental landscapes.
Note: Most parts of the European Yew are highly poisonous, including its seeds and foliage.
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