The yew tree is one of the oldest trees native to Britain. Their evergreen branches and bright red berries hold hundreds of years worth of secrets! Yew trees aren’t just a fascinating part of nature – they also come shrouded in myth and folklore! We’ve put together 15 facts all about this mystifying tree and its history! Discover why they’re dangerous, why they can be found in graveyards, and which war they took part in! And if you liked this, check out more nature facts here! How about these riveting River Thames facts? Or maybe you’re ready for some brilliant butterfly facts? And we know you’ll love these adorable hedgehog facts!

1. Yew Trees Are a Type of Conifer

Yew trees are conifers – that means they belong to an ancient family of trees that produce cones as part of their fruit – like pine cones! Other conifers include pine trees, cedars, firs and junipers!

2. They Are Evergreen

Like many conifers, yew trees are evergreen, meaning they stay green all year long, even in autumn and winter. Because of this, they are sometimes associated with Christmas, although for reasons you’ll see below, you probably don’t want to bring them into your house!

3. They Are Native to the UK

Yews are native to the UK – in fact they are one of a few trees that are native to Britain and have been there for thousands of years! They are also found in other northern European countries like Ireland and France. A close relation, the Irish Yew, is also found in Ireland -they grow much more upright instead of spreading out.

4. They Can Be VERY Old

One of the most famous things about yew trees is just how old they are! Yew trees can grow to be very old indeed – up to 9,000 years, some people have estimated! Because of their longevity, many myths and stories have grown up around Yews, which have been important to cultures like the Romans and the ancient Norsemen.

5. There Is Lots of Folklore Around Yewtrees

Yew trees are shrouded in folklore and myth. In many cultures they are associated with immortality and rebirth, probably because its a long living evergreen. In Christianity they are associated with Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Yew Trees are also said to ward off evil spirits. In Pembrokeshire in Wales there is a yew tree that looks like its bleeding! In fact, it is secreting red sap!

6.The Oldest Yew in the UK is the Fortingall Yew in Scotland

In Fortingall in Perth and Kinross, there is a yew tree that is said to be one of the oldest in the UK, if not Europe! The Fortingall Yew is estimated to be anywhere between 2,000 and 9,000 years old! Legend has it that Pontius Pilate, a figure from the Bible, was born under the tree!

7. The Berries Are Poisonous

There might be another reason the yew tree is associated with death – its poisonous! Yew trees have bright red berries which contain a poisonous seed. Poison is also found in the wood and leaves! The yew contains a chemicals known as taxines, which, if eaten, can cause death in humans and animals! Be very careful when going near yew trees!

8. They Often Grow in Churchyards

Yew trees continue their spooky reputation by their association with churchyards -they are traditionally planted all over the UK in churchyards, and many older churchyards today have huge yew trees in their graveyards. They were planted there because of their hardiness, their associated with resurrection and eternal life, and because their poisonous branches would put off grazing animals.

9. Male and Female Trees Look Different

Yew trees can be male, female, or both! They are dioecious, meaning that male and female trees grow different flowers. Male yews have small white and yellow flowers, whilst females have hard green buds. They can also change gender! In 2015 it was reported that the Fortingell yew had started producing berries, something only female yews do!

10. Lots of Animals Eat Yew Berries

Although the seeds of yew berries are very poisonous, it doesn’t stop birds and animals using yew trees as a vital source of food. Blackbirds, thrushes, squirrels and dormice all eat yew berries without being poisoned, as the seeds pass through them undigested.

11. They Are Used in Medicine

Although yew trees are toxic, they are also important in medicine. The poison they contain, taxus, has been used in cancer treatments amongst other things. Who knows what else the yew can do for us in the future?

12. They Were Important to the Pagans

The early British pagans considered yew trees very important. Not only did they symbolise death and rebirth, druids considered the tree sacred, and often practised their rituals and meetings in yew groves.

13. They Were Used to Make Weapons

Yew wood is also very strong, and it has famously been used to make bows and arrows. During the Hundred Years War between England and France, archers used yew longbows, and they were also used by the Scots in battle too.

14. You Can Visit Some Famous UK Yew Trees

If you want to visit an ancient yew, there are lots of them all over Britain! As well as the Fortingell yew, there is also the the Whittingehame Yew in East Lothian, and the St Cynog church yew in Wales, which is said to be nearly 5,000 years old! Or how about the Ankerwycke yew in Berkshire, which, according to legend, was a witness to the signing of the Magna Carta!

15. They Can Also Be Hedges

Yews don’t just make good trees – they can also be hedges! At Powys castle in Wales, the yew tree hedges are so high they have to be cut with a cherry picker!