“Taxus baccata, also known as Common Yew, is a versatile evergreen native tree that is often grown as a hedge or for topiary shaping.

It grows at a relatively slow pace to an eventual medium to large size, it has a distinct red bark and grows in a bushy, thick, spreading form.

Incredibly long lived, it is often associated with churchyard planting and rejuvenates itself remarkably well if pruned hard in the early spring.

It is worth noting that every part of Yew is poisonous, apart from the red flesh of the berry female plants produce, to humans and animals. It is a common misconception that the entire berry is poisonous however, that said, we would still not advise you to eat them!

Like most evergreens it is not tolerant of waterlogged soils and thrives best on free draining lighter land.”