Brightwell-cum-Sotwell

June 2003 – Tim Hills: This yew is NNW of the church and only about 8 metres from its north facing porch. There were several bracts of vivid yellow polyporus sulfureus half way up the bole, and more higher in the branches. It is the west facing side of the trunk that is decomposing. It appears that the original leading branch was truncated, and jagged edges suggest it fell. This break has let in water and set in motion decay of the inside of the tree. When decomposition is complete it will leave a thickened horse shoe shaped tree. I recorded a girth of 13′ 4” (406cm) at both 1′ and 5′.
May 2013 – Peter Norton: This large female yew grows opposite the northwest corner of the church and close to the north porch. Its girth was 13′ 1” (399cm) at 2′ 6”. Younger yews found here are a female on the east perimeter, girthing 8′ 11” at 1′ and one on the far west perimeter.