Rothbury Tree of the Month: January 2025. The Yew.

Although not as old as this beauty, (The Beltingham Yew, c900 years old), our Rothbury Yews have a haunting splendour of their own. The path from the steps to the Church, with holly and yew on either side, is a beautiful shady walk, and wonderful refuge for all sorts of wildlife.

We visited the Beltinham Yew in 2021. They have such an awe about them - I felt sorry for metal girders digging into their bark, though they were certainly put there with the best of intentions.

This image reminds me of the belt on my trousers after Christmas!

The yews pictured above are in Rothbury's All Saints Church graveyard. Yews can live up to 3000 years! At 900 years of age they are considered ancient (it would be 400 years for an oak). I believe these yews must be about 150 years old - though they are difficult trees to age. I am guessing they will have been planted when most of the church building was restored. Between 1847 and 1850.

There are 7 types of yew trees in the world, but only one is native in the UK. Yew trees are one of of only 3 native conifer species in Britain and Ireland. The other two are Juniper, and Scots Pine.

When mature, as these trees are, they can grow to 20m.

A great fact to know about yew is that they are dioecious. This means that female, and male, flowers grow on separate trees. (Interesting to note at Beltingham, it appears one of those yews has female and male growing on one tree!). The flowers appear in March and April. The male flowers look different to the female - females are scaly and look like buds. Males are globe shaped and yellowy-white.

The fruits of yews are not like those of other conifers - they do not have cones! Yews produce one seed, inside a bright red 'berry' - an 'aril',

There is a lot more to tell you, but I think you might like to listen, rather than read? Because as well, there is the fascinating history of the Irish, or Fastigiate Yew. The Irish Yew in the Church Yard is keen to tell you her history, and some more about the Common Yew, herself. Download the Rothbury Tree Trail app from this website, and listen to her story yourself (you can listen to it anywhere, you do not need to visit the churchyard).

Irish Yew in All Saints. Listen to her tell the story of these unusual 'aliens'. Voiced by the artist and teacher, Mo Healy, with Tillering Tree performing 'Carolan's Cup' by the Celtic Harper Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738).

If you would like to know more about Rothbury's All Saints Church, this is a good starting point: Fabulous North, All Saints Church. Also see the Rothbury History Site