Chislehurst

A writer to Notes and Queries in 1882 asked about this churchyard: ‘Is it commonly known that from an aged yew tree encircled by a seat in the churchyard there hang a chain and manacles?’ We can assume that this hollowing old yew was the tree once used as a place of punishment. See also Llanelieu, where a yew of similar girth was used as a place of punishment. Girths recorded were 11′ 9” (358cm) at 1′, 11′ 5” (348cm) at 3′ and 11′ 4” (345cm) at 4′.
With a girth of under 4m the tree is presently classified as notable. Because it displays veteran characteristics it will in the future be classified as V-con (veteran on account of its condition).