Coldwaltham

1885: 31′ 3″ at 3′ , when the Rev. Starling noted much spray on the tree.
1955: The Rev. R.T. Newcombe gave the following girths to Swanton: 35′ at the ground level and 32′ at 3′.
1997 – Owen Johnson: 14m tall x 296 cm diameter and ‘filled up with humus almost to eye level’ – The Sussex Tree Book.
June 1999 – Tim Hills: NW of the church, a massive presence in this churchyard. For a yew described as one of the oldest 12 in the country it is disappointing to find the shed almost touching the tree. It would not be treated this way in an arboretum. Girth of 34′ 5” (1049cm) at the ground.
September 2012 – Peter Norton: A large female yew just northwest of the church, unhealthy looking crown, sparse foliage. Totally hollow with major basal cavities. At about 6” from the high point of the ground (west side of the tree) somebody has hammered 6 nails into the tree. Girth at this height was 34′ 5” (1049cm). At a height of 3′ a further 6 embedded nails guided the tape to give a girth of 30′ 9” (937cm). To the south of the church is a young yew.
2010 – A powerline runs close to the tree and the company wanted to cut some of the branches where the gap was less than 2′. On realising the yew’s age and stature, they have suggested a better solution might be to move the powerline pole.