Martindale

Tim Hills 2002: A twin trunked yew, joined for the first few feet. One of these is a hollow shell with thickening at the opening. It develops many small branches, including one at a height of 6′ which dips to the ground. Here it has the potential to become embedded, producing new growth as well as helping anchor the tree. The other trunk, nearest to the church, was covered with adventitious and twiggy growth. This one has a small hollow enclosed by thickening growth, with an internal stem. It too carries many branches, including one that dips to the ground. Age estimates of between 700 and 2000 years have been given for this tree. Its twin trunks, whose combined girth was 19′ 5” (592cm) at 1′, would suggest the lower end of these estimates.
Luke Steer 2018: Stem 1 is very hollow but I consider that it isn’t likely to break – it’s normal. It was measured at an angle 85cm above the ground and 30cm above the union and a girth of 114.5cm was recorded. Stem 2 was measured at an angle 1.25m above the ground and 10cm above the union and a girth of 137cm was recorded. Most of the crown appeared healthy and I classed it as ‘Normal Vitality’ (no higher rating). There are some dead branches on the southern side of the tree, whose crown overhangs the building by <2m.