Harbridge

Heywood Sumner’ Wessex (1912 – date to be verified) : “On the Northern side of the chancel of Harbridge church stands a grand old yew tree-12 paces within the churchyard Eastern wall. Its bole and double trunks are quite clean in bark, and free from shoot growth that sometimes covers the boles and trunks of old yews. The Harbridge yew has thrown out a great limb on its North-Western side, at 2 feet above the ground, which height has been thereby imposed for girth record of the tree-namely 19 feet 1 inch. In structure it consists of two central trunks, surmounted by shattered ramification, and two great spreading limbs, with less loss of branching. The measurements in girth of these trunks, and limbs are as follows: The trunk nearer the church, 11 feet 6 inches in girth, 6 feet from the ground. The trunk further from the church, 10 feet 7 inches in girth, 5 feet from the ground. The limb nearer to the church, 8 feet 9 inches in girth, 4 feet from the ground. The limb farther from the church, 6 feet 11 inches in girth, 2 feet from the ground. The ramification of the two central trunks has been shattered by windfalls, and the remnant is scanty in foliage; but the two spreading limbs on either side, are surmounted by full foliage, such spread being from 11 to 10 paces from the trunk. Care is taken of this ancient tree-as testified by iron ties that bind its weighty limbs to upright trunk support. Long may it survive to tantalise successive generations who may question its age.”
January 2001 – Tim Hills: Almost obscured by the ivy, 3 branches rise from a short bole. Girth of 20′ 6” (625cm) at the ground exaggerated by the ivy.
September 2005 – Russell Cleaver: Short, squat bole, full crown from 4 leaders. Base overgrown by ivy. Female tree, just north of church.