YEW - Taxus Baccata

[Les Symonds]

I've recently written an article about the folklore associated with yew, its history and its use. This can be found here http://www.woodturnersunlimited.com/index.php/wood/softwoods/187-i-love-yew,

 if anyone's interested.
Les

[bodrighywood]

Interesting and well researched Les. Don't know if it is true but as I understand it the druids used to use a potion made from it to get high for their celebrations. Don't think I'll try it though LOL.

Pete

[John]

Very interesting, It was good to read the history of one of my favourite woods.
John

[Dil]

Fascinating Les. We have one by a 6th century church on Church Island, Menai Bridge, Anglesey!

[Bryan Milham]

Well done Les, a very interesting read.

Something that I thought you were going to say, but missed was that originally the English Bowmen used the Short Bow, it was the Welsh that introduced the Long bow that became so famous and synonymous with the English archers.

[John Plater]

Nice one Les !!
It is always a pleasure to read of the timbers we woodturners are lucky enough to use, even those timbers some of us have to avoid !! A couple of years ago there was a programme on TV about the South Downs where lots of Yew trees grow. They had an aerial shot of the moment when the trees shed their pollen and it formed a massive physical cloud of the stuff. Fascinating to watch. In the south of your country Les, there are a number of old yew trees surrounding the chapel at Capel-y-finn. Many a time I have sheltered there during the odd shower which Wales enjoys 
ATB John

[Dave Brookes]

Great article Les, a thoroughly interesting read.
Thanks for taking the time to both write and post it.

Dave