The majority of ancient yews found in England and Wales grow on the consecrated ground around churches. We can be sure that those we have so far recorded owe their survival largely to the protection afforded by their location.
The problem is establishing who is directly responsible for protecting our oldest trees. It is likely that in many instances there is no protection at all, or that responsibility lies solely with the Vicar acting with their Church Warden, Parochial Church Council or District Council. Tree expertise in such decision making bodies is often lacking, as indeed are the funds necessary to carry out the best remedial work. It is not always an individual church or diocese that is responsible for grounds and tree maintenance, and some burial grounds have been taken over by the local authority. This does not necessarily mean that an old yew will receive sensitive treatment.