Yew, a special species of softwood with elastic, hard and rot-resistant wood

The yew is one of the most interesting species. It is part of the category of resin, but they do not secrete resin and the fruits are not cones. The wood has a density similar to hard deciduous species (oak), is elastic and resistant to decay and insect attack. The bark and leaves contain taxin, a substance very dangerous to animals. The leaves are also the basis for one of the most effective treatments for some cancers.

All this contradictory information is an invitation to find out more about the yew tree and yew wood.

Tisa, protected species declared a monument of nature

In the past, yew was widespread in our country, growing in extensive forests. Intense exploitation for its wood qualities and its destruction by those who considered it a danger to animals brought the species close to extinction. It was therefore declared a protected species and a natural monument and its exploitation and destruction was banned. We have three nature reserves where the yew is preserved: in Tudora in Botoșani, in Cenaru in Vrancea and in Pângărați in Neamț.

Not only in our country but also in the rest of Europe. Being very elastic, yew wood has been used since ancient times to make bows. Ötzi, the mummy discovered in 1991 in the Alps, on the border between Italy and Austria, believed to have lived more than 5000 years ago, had a yew bow beside it. In the medieval period, many long wars led to massive felling so that yew almost disappeared from England and Scotland. By the 13th century, these countries were bringing yew from the continent, from the Carpathians and the Alps. By the middle of the last millennium, even the Austrian Alps had almost run out of yew. Only the advent of firearms in the late 16th century saved the species from extinction.

Its very good resistance to rotting was another reason why it was intensively exploited in the past. It was used in the construction of ships and masts, where its elasticity was also appreciated.

Yew tree

Yew (Taxus baccata), European yew or common yew in English, is a tree that grows in Europe, northwest Asia and north Africa. It is found from the Scandinavian peninsula to the Mediterranean Sea and from Spain and Algeria to western Russia and northern Iran. Here it grows in hilly and mountainous areas, along with fagul in beech forests or mixed with beech and resinous.

The tree grows very slowly and can reach up to 12-15 m, rarely 20 m. At first it develops as a shrub, some of the plants remain at this stage. The diameter of the trunk can reach 3 m and more in time, because it is formed by several shoots growing together. The shoots grow continuously, which is very rare in resinous trees.

The bark is thin, reddish-gray and may exfoliate as plates. The tree has a triangular, resin-like shape, with a wider base in solitary specimens. The needle-like leaves are arranged very similar to those of fir, but more intensely green and softer than those of fir. It does not form cones and the fruit is a fleshy red berry.

Yew prefers rocky soil and uneven topography and grows both isolated and in clumps. It prefers sheltered, shady sites with high humidity. The young plant thrives only in sheltered woodland. It grows slowly, reaching maturity after 20 years. It is a long-lived tree, able to live up to 1000-2000 years and even longer.

Characteristics of yew wood

In cross-section through the trunk the difference between the sapwood and the heartwood is clearly visible. The sapwood is narrow, pale yellow to white in color, and the heartwood is orange-brown to dark purplish-brown with sometimes dark streaks. The older the tree the darker the color. Slow growth makes the annual rings narrow. The transition from early to late wood is gradual. The grain may be straight if there has been uniform growth, or twisted when there are growth defects. The texture is uniform, with natural gloss and without resin canals.

Yew wood is dense, with a specific dry weight of 675 kg/m³, comparable to the oak. Also like oak is its compressive strength along the grain, and it was also used in the past for house structures. It is elastic and very durable, resistant to rot and insect attack. It dries easily with very little loss and becomes very stable, little affected by variations in atmospheric humidity.

It processes fairly easily if the fiber is regular and much harder when knots, twisted fiber and other growth defects appear. It turns easily, polishes and colors without problems. Sometimes because of the oil content it can have problems with tangling.

Uses of yew wood

Even if in other countries its exploitation is not prohibited, yew is rare and not used in industry. It is a wood with a special coloring and design, which is why it is expensive and used by carpenters to make special objects. Taxin is also found in wood, albeit in very low concentrations, which is why it is not recommended for making spoons, platters or children's toys. Sensitive people should be careful when working with it and must wear a protective mask.

Yew wood can be used to make bows, bowls, pens, knife handles, small furniture, wine barrels, musical instruments or measuring instruments.

Also known as yew is Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), which grows in the USA and Canada and has very similar properties. It is easier to find and, according to some sources, less toxic.

Poison or medicine

Taxin is found in all parts of the tree except the red, fleshy fruit. The highest concentration is in the leaves, varying with the season. In winter, when the water content decreases, the concentration is highest. Taxin attacks the heart and paralyzes breathing. It is a potent poison for horses, donkeys, mules, mules and humans, other animals being much less affected. In the past, it was not only wood that was used in warfare, but also the yew leaf brew. This was used to poison arrowheads. As intrigues at the royal courts were flourishing in those times, yew leaf smut was often used to settle scores. The most famous (if only fictional) 'beneficiary' was Hamlet's father, whose own brother poured the dangerous brew into his ear.

Research begun in 1958 by the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) has radically changed the way yew is regarded. Over the years the institute tested the effect of thousands of plants on the growth of cancerous tumors. In 1963 it was discovered that Pacific yew bark extract had an effect on these tumors by preventing cell division. The discovery led to the development of Taxol, a revolutionary drug for treating cancer. In 1983, in France, research led to the discovery of taxol in yew leaves. The discovery saved the trees as the leaves regenerated annually. The drug has helped save a significant number of women suffering from ovarian or breast cancer.

I hope you find the above information interesting. If you have worked with yew wood, I would love to hear your impressions. And if you have any questions or queries, leave them below in the space provided. I will certainly reply.