Rockfield

Visited by Evans on 17th January 1987 and recorded in his Churchyard yews of Gwent. He noted 5 yews in the churchyard, the largest with a circumference of 370cm (12’ 2’’). He described it as “a fine specimen with a distinct main trunk.” Evans usually measured at a height of 1m.
In 2023 I recorded 386cm (12’ 8’’) at 30cm, 391cm (12’ 10’’) at 60cm and 407cm (13’ 4’’) at 1m. This is an increase of 37cm in 36 years. The trunk is certainly monumental but with one prominent side stem from a height of 8/10ft that then grows vertically and thickly alongside the main stem. Many other branches have been removed. There were no arils so I assume the yew to be male. Also noteworthy was a flaky bark, more reminiscent of the yews in the churchyards of northern France.
There are also several younger yews in the churchyard.