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Nature

Yew Tree

What is yew tree?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Genus Taxus[1]
Family Taxaceae[1]
Type Evergreen tree or shrub[1]
Fruit structure Red, fleshy aril[3]
Height Around 15 metres[2]
Toxicity Poisonous[2]

A yew tree is an evergreen conifer in the genus *Taxus*, known for its needle-like leaves and red, fleshy arils. It is often used for wood and archery bows.

Context

A yew tree is an evergreen conifer in the genus *Taxus* and family Taxaceae, with needle-like leaves and red, fleshy arils around the seeds. In common usage, 'yew' most often refers to *Taxus baccata*, also called common yew, European yew, or English yew. Yew trees are native to the Northern Hemisphere and can grow up to 20 metres tall. The wood is heavy and fine-grained, and the tree is poisonous. Yew is one of the three conifers native to Britain, alongside Scots pine and juniper. Some trees called yew, such as plum-yew and stinking yew, are not in the genus *Taxus*. Yew wood has been used for archery bows. As a tree, yew is notable for its longevity and cultural significance. [1]

Documented claims

  • Yew is one of the three conifers native to Britain. [2]
  • Some trees called yew are not in the genus Taxus. [1]

Related

Maple TreeMaple trees are another common tree species readers may want to compare with yew.Larch TreeLarch trees are conifers like yew, so readers interested in conifers may find this relevant.

Questions and answers

What is special about a yew tree?

Yew is an evergreen conifer with red, fleshy arils and is one of the three conifers native to Britain [2].

How poisonous is yew to humans?

Yew is poisonous [2].

Can yew trees grow in Canada?

Yew trees are native to the Northern Hemisphere, which includes Canada [1].

Sources

  1. Yew | Evergreen, Coniferous, Taxus — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. YEW | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary — dictionary.cambridge.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Yew tree - Taxus baccata | Kew — kew.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature