Yew 2

Red Rise Shade contains a large number of mature Yew trees, now fruiting the juxtaposition of the dark green evergreen leafs and bright red berries is striking. The Yew hold a high position in both folklore and bush craft, the Celts had great respect for the tree due to its association with immortality, renewal, regeneration, everlasting life, rebirth, transformation and access to the Other world and our ancestors; later faiths too adopted this reverence, hence their frequent association with churchyards. Some English Yews are thought to be over 4000 years old. In bush craft Yew wood is priced, and always has been, for its use in Longbow production, being both strong and flexible. The oldest known wooden implements is a Yew spear found at Clacton on Sea, England, dated to around 50,000 ago. Be very aware, the whole tree is poisonous - wood, bark, needles and seed. The only part which isn't is the fleshy part of the seed.