Englishcombe

In 1848 these trees, a male growing next to a female, were described as ‘one of the most extraordinary vegetable curiosities in the kingdom – two ancient yew trees having grown together in the form of a lancet arch. From the centre a remarkably fine new growth arises’. In 1876 the Somerset Archaeological Society noted how they had ‘joined and grown into one another’. In 1906/7 they were described as ‘two whimsical yew-trees, which have grown into one during a long embrace’. Two of the three trees could be measured, and at 7′ 6” and 8′ 6” would only suggest an age close to 200 years. However since they were already being described as ancient 163 years ago, they must be considerably older than 200 years and are very slow growing trees. This is indeed a rare botanical curiosity. It is hoped that it will not suffer the same fate as the yews at Sutton Court in Herefordshire, felled when the house changed ownership in 2010/11.