Chester Approach

The yews are spread along the track and in the woods to the west of the track. A number of the largest ones are of a similar size. I suspect the largest ones were planted and have benefitted from being on the track edge and getting the most light. Within the woods the yews are smaller and I would assume a number of these are self sown. The tallest stretch to close on 25m in height (though heavily slanted). In a rather unscientific manner, I counted 91 yews over 1′ in diameter, but suspect I missed a few. There are 5 with a girth greater than 3m, the largest being 3.5m circumference. One of these is right next to the gates at the north end. A full survey would require GPS or several people with long tapes and a good low scale map. I started at one end and walked back counting trees in blocks and measuring the largest. There are a couple of wildly distorted trees amongst the more usual mix of single stems, multiple leaders etc. There are 2 large trees that appear to have blown over and are just hanging on. Most however appear to be pretty healthy. Someone is looking out for these trees however, because the larger ones have numbered tags attached to them.