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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Taxus baccata Trade Name Common yew Family Name Taxaceae Common Names Common yew, European yew, Idegran, Yew, Yewtree Regions of Distribution Africa, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean Sea Region, Oceania and S.E. Asia, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Burma, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Myanmar, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom Common Uses Bows, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Decorative veneer, Door, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Lock gates, Marquetry, Paneling , Paneling, Posts, Rustic furniture, Tables , Tables, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The species occurs in the Scandinavian countries, Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, western parts of Russia, North Africa, the Mediterranean region including Iran, and along parts of the Himalayan mountain ranges. It prefers lime-rich soil, but can also grow on any well-drained soil. Wild groves are reported to occur on open, lime-rich areas, but on clay soils usually found under Oak trees. It grow under Beech on light soils. Many cultivars of the Common yew are reported to exist, and they differ from the forest trees in the form and arrangement and color of their foliage. The two most well-known are 'Dovastoniana' or West Felton yew, and 'Fastigiata' or Irish yew. Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellow Purple Orange Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Purple Pale red to pink Dark brown Red Reddish brown Light tan The heartwood is described as initially bright tan to red brown or purple. It becomes a much more warm brown or golden brown upon exposure and with age. Patches of dark purple, mauve and brown streaks, together with tiny knots and clusters of in-grown bark combine to give the wood an attractive appearance. Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red White to yellow Well defined Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Sapwood is usually about 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Burrs (figure) Growth rings (figure) Straight Closed Even Variable (figure) Wavy Other (figure) Figure shows burrs Distinct figure Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Irregular color Distinct and very fine figure Wavy Other figure May be curly and irregular Texture Coarse Medium Fine Medium Even textured Luster Medium High Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-durable Non-resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Durable Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to termites Durable Very durable Sapwood is readily attacked by the common furniture beetle Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Heartwood has high natural resistance to attack by fungi Odor No specific smell or taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Some toxic effects Respiratory effects Poisonous Dermatitic effects With the exception of the aril, or the fleshy enclosure for the seed, all other parts of the Common yew tree, including the seeds are highly poisonous to humans and cattle, but not to deer and rabbits Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2 Schedule G (4/4) United Kingdom Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Splitting Distortion Checking Slight distortion may occur during drying The wood may distort slightly, but uncontrolled drying condition may cause new shakes to form and existing shakes to open up Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Rapidly Easy Dries rapidly and well with little degrade under controlled conditions Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is fluted Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Common yew is probably the longest living tree in northern Europe. The trees grow extremely slowly and produce exceptionally durable trees that remain standing even when the boles are widely hollowed out. In fact, all the big Yews are reported to have extensive hollowed out trunks. Typically has a short and deeply fluted trunk Product Sources Material in large dimensions are not readily available since Yew trees are usually small to medium-sized, and are of poor form. Supplies of Yew in the form of veneers are also very limited, and are very expensive when available. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Wastage during conversion is rather high because of the poor form of Yew logs. Waste Factor Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Variable results of size and smoothness Moderately difficult to treat with preservatives Boring, moulding, mortising and other machining properties tend to be variable, depending upon the grain direction, but they are generally moderately difficult to achieve Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Irregularities in growth often produce timber with curly or cross grain which are rather difficult to work, but straight-grained wood responds well to sawing. Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Use special attention for best results Moderate gluing properties Gluing may require carefully controlled conditions because of the oily nature of the wood. Mortising Fair to Good Results Moulding Poor to Very Poor Results Movement in Service Holds shape well after manufacture Good dimensional stability and shows little movement in use Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Possible if prebored Planing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Material containing irregular grain tends to tear out in planing and other operations. Wood with straight grain works readily and can be planed to yield smooth, clean surfaces Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is resistant Poor response to preservative treatment Heartwood is extremely resistant The timber is naturally very resistant to decay and will last a long time in contact with the ground without decaying. Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Variable qualities Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Sanding Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Easy to turn Turns with moderate ease Excellent Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for slicing into decorative veneers No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting The timber is converted into exceptionally decorative veneers which are used for all kinds of applications, including paneling, cabinetmaking, and marquetry. Veneers are very fragile and require careful preparation, patching, flattening, and handling. Yew burrs are rather rare, but when obtainable, they are highly suitable for conversion into high-class veneers. The attractive appearance of veneers can be enhanced by combining different features such as pin knots, burrs, or even sapwood and heartwood mixtures. Steam Bending Poor to Very Poor Results Good Very good Straight-Grained, air-seasoned wood responds well to steam bending. Polishing Fair to Good Results Good results Polishes and finishes very well Staining Fair to Good Results Finish is generally good Finish is generally satisfactory Most finishing agents are reported to produce good results. Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Heavy Hard Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Crushing strength = medium Strength in bending and crushing are rated as medium, and the timber has rather low stiffness and resistance to shock loads. Common yew has been described as hard, strong, tough, and rather heavy for a softwood. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 42 lbs/ft3 Specific Gravity 0.64 Weight 41 33 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 673 kg/m3 Specific Gravity 0.64 Weight 657 528 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % References Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. British Woodworking Federation. 1995. Which Wood . Published by the British Woodworking Federation, Broadway House, Tothill Street, London. Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Coombes, A.J. 1992. Trees - The Visual Guide to More than 500 Species from Around the World. Eyewitness Handbooks. Published in the United States by Dorling Kinderley, Inc, New York. Distributed by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1957,Timbers for Flooring,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Bulletin, No.40 Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California. Mitchell, A.F. 1985. Conifers. Forestry Commision Booklet No. 15. Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color - A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London. Patterson, D. 1988. Commercial Timbers of the World. Fifth Edition. Gower Technical Press, Aldershot, UK. ix + 339 pp. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30 Stone, H.,1924,The Timbers of Commerce and their Identification,William Rider & Sons Ltd. London T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet No.50 Yew (Taxus baccata,TRADA Timber Leaflet T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6 Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.