Good practice
If you have taken individual or community action to ensure that
your yew is protected let us know about it.
The Winterbourne Dauntsey Yew, Wiltshire
“Local residents would fight to protect this lovely old
tree if it were ever in danger.” The church was demolished
in the 19th century, but it is only recently that the churchyard
has been made into a wildlife refuge with this fine yew as centrepiece.
For more information go to Winterbourne
Yew (photo in gazetteer)
(24th May 2005)
The Acton Beauchamp Yew, Herefordshire
In 1856 the botanist Edwin Lees described this “ most magnificent
old yew-tree, riven into two parts, but still green and vigorous…..”
A drawing survives from about 200 years ago which provides evidence
that the 20ft. girthed fragment that remains was once part of
a more formidable tree. On several visits since 1998 I have observed
an increase in foliage density on its many young branches. A decision
about its future has been deferred for 4 years. (photo in gazetteer)
(24th May 2005)
The Minstead Yew, Hampshire
After a storm in 1979 destoyed half of the tree its future looked
uncertain. Good sense prevailed and thanks to expert remedial
action it is growing vigorously (photo in gazetteer
). We would like to hear from those people who made the decision
to save the tree and the experts who carried out the work. (24th
May 2005)
The Buckland-in-Dover Yew, Kent
This yew was shattered by lightning in the 18th century. In 1880
it passed an even sterner test, being moved to another part of
the churchyard in order that the church might be enlarged. Tree
and soil were estimated to weigh about 56 tons (photo in gazetteer).
It is to be hoped that the threatened Harlington Yew can be similarly
found a new home when the ground in which it has grown for possibly
1000 years becomes part of a new runway.(24th May 2005)
The Caring for God's Acre Project
Reports have been commissioned by this project for many churchyards
in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. They recognise
the significance of their veteran/ancient yews and offer specific
advice on continuing care.(30th August 2005)
Igtham Mote, Kent
This old yew in the care of the National Trust has been treated
and given time to recover from too many visitors. “The Yew
Tree has been suffering stress over the last few years. One of
the reasons for this is that the ground underneath has become
very hard and compacted causing the roots to slow and in some
cases stop growing. In turn this has stopped the leaves and branches
from growing, making the tree look very unhappy. To help overcome
this problem before it is terminal the Garden Departmant employed
a contractor to carry out a decompaction and root treatment, which
should help the roots and ultimately the whole tree to thrive
once more. This treatment is called Terraventing. The process
involves injecting compressed nitrogen through a probe which simultaneously
de-compacts the soil while delivering bio-stimulants and mycorrhizal
fungi to the root system. To helps this whole process along the
area under the tree canopy has been roped off for this year to
allow the area to recover.”
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