Definition
“Fragmented Yew” has become the term commonly used
to describe a yew of which only a fragment (or several fragments)
of the original tree remains. In the past, these trees have understandably
been described as shattered, broken, split, damaged, ruined, wrecked
or decayed. While such words provide an accurate description, they
can too readily be interpreted as implying something no longer
of worth. The reality is that fragmented yews are some of
our oldest trees, often in the greatest need of protection because
of their unusual and sometimes unsound appearance. The Tree Council
is to be congratulated for including no fewer than 3 fragmented
yews in their list of '50 Great British Trees' chosen in
celebration of the Queen's jubilee year.
3 of the 50 Great British Trees
These are found at Fortingall, Llangernyw and Ashbrittle and are
all male trees.
The yew at Fortingall in Scotland is considered by many to be
the oldest tree in Britain, and possibly Europe too. An engraving
of 1744 from Pennant’s Tour in Scotland shows this
giant yew, with a girth above 55', already broken into two fragments. The
1822 engraving in J.G.Strutt’s Sylva Britannica reveals
the effects of time, weather and souvenir hunters. A wall and railings
around the yew now allow the fragments to grow almost unimpeded,
though in 2001 one of them was observed to be growing so vigorously
it was beginning to push part of the protecting wall outwards. |
One of the oldest yews in Wales is found at Llangernyw in Conwy. Until
recently an oil tank stood in the space between the fragments,
on the spot where the original tree once grew. Realisation that
this was one of Wales’s oldest trees encouraged the authorities
to site the tank elsewhere. It is unfortunate that much of the
dead wood, a source of evidence especially useful to researcher
and dendrochronologist, has been removed.
|
