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Silvington - High Lane

Tree ID: 4806

Yews recorded: Notable

Tree girth: 348cm

Girth height: at 35cm

Tree sex: male

Date of visit: 12-Dec-15

Source of earliest mention: 2015: Paul Wood

Notes:

The yew grows in a gateway next to a public footpath across a field (GR SO62318054). The new gate and fence suggest that there is no intention of removing this exceptional yew. This is possibly the best example ever seen of an old yew being completely replaced by a new yew growing inside the decaying sapwood of the original tree. It is normal to see the old sapwood shell acting as scaffolding for new growth on the outside, but in this instance, while we see an almost complete circle of dead sapwood shell, there is nothing at all growing on the outside. All of the old heartwood appears to have been replaced by internal growth. When all of that old sapwood disappears it will look like an unremarkable young yew with a rather redder than usual appearance. Only this record will tell the rest of the story. The yew was measured over the dead wood at a height of about 14” where you can see a visible narrow point above the root crown. Also observed was a slight mound on the north side of the tree with some rotted stump, suggesting at least the possibility that the tree has been larger still in the past.
With a girth of under 4m the tree is presently classified as notable. Because it displays veteran characteristics it will in the future be classified as V-con (veteran on account of its condition).

Yew trees at Silvington - High Lane:

Tree ID Location Photo Yews recorded Girth
4810 Silvington - High Lane Ancient 5m-7m 593cm at 120cm - view more info
4807 Silvington - High Lane Ancient 4m-5m 488cm - view more info
4808 Silvington - High Lane Ancient 4m-5m 417cm - view more info
4806 Silvington - High Lane Notable 348cm at 35cm - view more info