Wonders of Yew
slide talk with Fred Hageneder

Slide talk presenting highlights from Yew – A History, the first book to cover all aspects of the botany as well as the cultural history and mythology of the Yew.

This is an event dedicated to the remarkable story of the oldest living things in Europe and their ­endangered future.
The yew is one of the most versatile life forms on earth – botanically rich and intriguing.
The story of the yew has a rich ­cultural and historical background – it was the Tree of Life, the tree in the Garden of Eden and the original Christmas Tree.
Yet, the British obsession with using yew for the medieval longbow led to the destruction of yew forests across continental Europe because the wood was superior.
Now, the mass destruction of yews overseas means that the UK is a Noah’s Ark for the conservation of ancient yews worldwide.  Eighty to eighty five per cent of these grow in British churchyards, where the Church is the guardian and custodian of this ancient heritage.

Tuesday 11th March 2008, 2–4pm
Oakdale Institute, St Fagans: National History Museum, Wales
admission free, phone 02920 573500

Saturday 15th March 2008, 2–4pm
not public – Cotswold Tree Wardens Meeting
Cotswold District Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester

Sunday 16th March 2008, 10.30–12.30am
not public – Friends of Westonbirt
Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

Tuesday 18th March 2008, 2–3pm
Millenium Seedbank Centre, Wakehurst Place, West Sussex
organised by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
tickets £5, phone Sarah Oldridge 0208 332 5626 (Tues, Weds, Thurs), 01444 894310 (Mon & Fri)

Thursday 20th March 2008, 7.30–9.30pm
Ridley Hall, Northumberland. Introduction by David Bellamy
(near the ancient yew at Beltingham)
tickets £7.50/£6.50 , phone Mandi Harris 016977 47489

Thursday 27th March 2008, 7.30–9.30pm
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, Romsey, Hampshire
Visitor & Education Pavilion, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens 
tickets £6.50, phone 01794 369 318 (10am – 4pm)
www.hilliergardens.org.uk

Supported by
Friends of the Trees
Ancient Yew Group
Tree Register of the British Isles
Conservation Foundation
National Museum Wales
Sutton Publishing
Summerfield Books

Fred Hageneder is a recognised authority on ethnobotany.  His books include:  The Spirit of Trees: Science, Symbiosis and Inspiration (2000) and The Living Wisdom of Trees: Natural History, Folklore, Symbolism, Healing (2005) and Yew – A History (2007). Fred is a founding member and the chairman of Friends of the Trees, a registered charity concerned with nature conservation, and a founder member of the AYG (Ancient Yew Group).