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Yew/Yews at Crowhurst, Sussex England

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Copyright © Tim Hills - 1999
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Notes: Girths recorded in the past: 1680 - 27' at 4' (Aubrey): 1835 - 27' 7'' at 4' (Horsfield): 1879 - 26' 7'' at 4' (CS Greaves): 1894 - 26' 9'' at 4' (Lowe): 1954 - 27' 2'' at 3' (Swanton): 1982 - 28' at 4' (Meredith): 1998 - 289cm diameter between 0.8 and 1.5m (O.Johnson). Tim Hills 1999: The largest of the 3 Sussex Crowhurst yews is female and grows south of the church. Rev Lonsdale Ragg's description of a 'caged lion' is apt (JH Wilks Trees of British Isles in history and legend), though lioness would be more accurate! Peter Norton 30th Oct 2015: Of the three female yews that grow here the most celebrated is southeast of the porch and can be viewed on Google Maps at 50.883663, 0.497104. Protected behind iron railings it is slowly separating into two distinct fragments with much dead wood being re-covered by secondary growth. Also noted were some fine internal stems. Branches to the east, south and partially west have been allowed to grow resulting in some fine serpentine growth.
Classification: ancient
Classification Codes:
Girth cm: 854
Height measured:
Girth ft ins: 28' approx
Sex: female
Earliest mention:
Source of earliest mention: 1680: Recorded by John Aubrey - information traced by Allen Meredith
Date of visit: 07-Jul-99
Latest information:

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