1600 year old Yew

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:00 PM

Hi. Just thought I would let people know about a very old tree I've just been to visit. It's in a church yard at Lytchett Matravers in Dorset - and it is quite amazing. Pictures are on my nature blog.

I've seen pictures of old yew trees... they always look pretty sorry for themselves, but this one was enormous and very impressive! It's hollow, amazingly tall (towers over the little church) and very strong growing and healthy looking. I just stood and looked at it for 10 minutes before I could do anything...

I'm trying to visit local trees so that I can survey them and add them to the Ancient Tree Hunt website. I couldn't believe this one wasn't already on the database! Please add trees in your area if you can.

When are we going to start looking after our trees properly? These ancient trees should be ancient monuments, instead they hardly have any protection at all.

wyevilla · #2 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:14 PM

Thanks for notifying us of this special tree. As you can see I am also fairly local and I had never heard of this yew. I'll be looking in on it in the next few weeks.

Cotham Marble · #3 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:24 PM

Or maybe not 1600 years old. There's an awful lot of fantasizing about 'ancient' trees which flies in the face of good archaeological and historical research - for an excellent summary of the issues see: At the Edge: How old is that old yew?

CM

tigger · #4 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:26 PM

You won't be disappointed Neil!

Yes, I read the article before visiting the yew. Really interesting article, I learnt a lot from it. However, it's still an amazing tree. I don't really care if its 500 or 3000 years old. I've certainly never seen another yew like it.

mrs fish · #5 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 06:11 AM

Wow that is beauty, I have never seen one that big or that old looking

There are a few nearby to my house and they are very favoured by the thrushes at the moment

tufftie · #6 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 08:09 AM

There's one that age in Wilmington, east Sussex (in the church yard). It's been propped up now, glad the props have blended in now (well sort of!)!

tigger · #7 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 09:15 AM

Mrs Fish. I agree. It's quite a stunner!

Tufftie. The Wilmington tree is great looking - I found it on the Ancient Tree Hunt site after reading your post. The props don't look too bad and at least they will keep it upright for a while longer.

galanthus · #8 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

Or maybe not 1600 years old. There's an awful lot of fantasizing about 'ancient' trees which flies in the face of good archaeological and historical research - for an excellent summary of the issues see: At the Edge: How old is that old yew?

CM

Wow Coth, what a read, amazing stuff

Beautiful tree tig, must be awe inspiring to stand near it.